Crisis and opportunity? Challenges for the social work profession and education in Aotearoa
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Authors
Matthewson, Peter
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Date
2024-11
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Conference Contribution - Oral Presentation
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Keyword
Aotearoa
New Zealand
social work students
social workers
recruitment
retention
social work education
Social Workers Registration Board (N.Z.)
Bachelor of Social Practice (BSP)
New Zealand
social work students
social workers
recruitment
retention
social work education
Social Workers Registration Board (N.Z.)
Bachelor of Social Practice (BSP)
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Matthewson, P J. (2024, November, 19-20). Crisis and opportunity? Challenges for the social work profession and education in Aotearoa [Paper presentation]. Australian and New Zealand Social Work and Welfare Education and Research 2024 Symposium., Dunedin, New Zealand.
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6861
Abstract
The current higher education and professional policy context in Aotearoa New Zealand presents significant challenges for the social work profession, and social work education, indeed it may not be an exaggeration to say we are at a crisis point. A shortage of qualified and registered social workers has been identified in recent years. A recent indicative survey found that around 410 social workers were needed to fill immediate vacancies in social work organisations in Aotearoa, and that over 700 social workers would be required to fully meet the need if resources allowed.
A significant contributing factor to this situation is the severe decline in the number of ākonga (students) choosing to study social work, and continuing to complete their degree, graduate, and start practising as registered social workers. It is suggested that a major factor in this decline has been the impact of the transition in the minimum qualification recognised for social worker registration, from a three-year Bachelors degree to the four-year Bachelors degree from 2015.
The four-year degree requirement has had a substantial impact on ākonga in terms of the time taken to complete, particularly for more mature ākonga, and also financially with an extra year of fees. Student hardship for social work students, which has a significant impact on wellbeing, has been highlighted in recent published research. This is particularly severe for indigenous ākonga and others from marginalised backgrounds, with lived experience of social issues including poverty and deprivation.
This presentation will reflect on these challenges and possible alternatives that could provide a path forward.
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