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Diversional and Recreational Therapist

Kaihaumanu Rēhia

Diversional and recreational therapists design and run recreation and leisure programmes to support and enhance people's total wellbeing.

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Secondary education

No specific secondary education is required for this job, but English, health education, music, dance and drama, physical education, and painting, sculpture, photography and printmaking are useful.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3
  • Certificate

Useful experience

Useful experience for diversional and recreational therapists includes work with the elderly, people with disabilities and children.

What you will do

Diversional and recreational therapists may do some or all of the following:

  • help people develop physicial and social skills and improve their total quality of life, confidence and independence
  • plan exercise, mental stimulation, creative and fun programmes and events
  • encourage people to participate and enjoy activities and events
  • assess and document people's progress
  • discuss participants' progress with medical and other professionals, and families.

Skills and knowledge

Diversional and recreational therapists need to have knowledge of:

  • how to plan and run recreational therapy activities for groups and individuals
  • how to motivate people to participate in activities
  • art and craft techniques
  • sporting and cultural activities
  • first aid.
Pay

Diversional and recreational therapists usually earn

$28-$35

per hour

Diversional and recreational therapists in managerial or leadership roles usually earn

$36-$50

per hour

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as a diversional and recreational therapist are good due to growing demand and a shortage of workers

Industry

Community Services

Diversional and recreational therapists design and run recreation and leisure programmes to support and enhance people's total wellbeing.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements to become a diversional and recreational therapist.

However, employers may prefer you to have a New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing – Social and Community Services (Level 4), specialising in Diversional Therapy.

You can complete an apprenticeship to gain this qualification. 

Careerforce oversees apprenticeships in diversional and recreational therapy.

Qualified and experienced diversional and recreational therapists can apply to be registered with the New Zealand Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapy.

  • The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children.

Chances of getting a job

Demand for diversional and recreational therapists growing

Demand for diversional and recreational therapists' services is growing due to the:

  • ageing population, which means more people in rest homes and hospitals
  • a shortage of diversional and recreational therapists
  • increasing number of people with disabilities in supported living.

According to the Census, the number of diversional and recreational therapists in New Zealand rose from 1,008 in 2013 to 1,608 in 2018.

Registration boosts chances of getting diversional and recreational therapy work

Becoming a registered diversional and recreational therapist can increase your chances of finding work as it means you can prove you have at least 3,000 hours of experience, and that you follow a code of ethics.

Types of employers varied

Most diversional and recreational therapists work in aged care and dementia care. Others work for:

  • youth and community centres
  • agencies that support people with disabilities
  • schools and early childcare centres.

Find out more about training

Careerforce
0800 277 486 - info@careerforce.org.nz - www.careerforce.org.nz
New Zealand Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapy
027 475 5950 - secretary@diversionaltherapy.net.nz - www.diversionaltherapy.net.nz

Progression and specialisations

Diversional and recreational therapists may progress to managerial roles, including leading recreation teams at rest homes and hospitals.

With further training, they may become occupational therapists.

Diversional and recreational therapists may specialise in:

  • art therapy
  • play.

Working conditions

Diversional and recreational therapists:

  • may do shift work, which can include evenings, weekends and public holidays
  • may work in a wide variety of organisations including aged care, dementia care, community centres, the corrections system, schools, youth centres and early childhood centres.

Physical Requirements

Diversional and recreational therapists need to have a good level of fitness and must be reasonably strong, as they may need to help carry or move people.

Useful personal qualities

Diversional and recreational therapists need to be:

  • patient and resourceful
  • enthusiastic and able to motivate others
  • caring, respectful and empathetic
  • good communicators with emotional and cultural intelligence, able to communicate non-verbally
  • practical, flexible and innovative
  • able to work well in a team.

Related Wintec courses

Industry

Community Services

Diversional and recreational therapists design and run recreation and leisure programmes to support and enhance people's total wellbeing.

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