Our degree programme is aimed at preparing you for the workplace and has a focus on how to practice in a culturally safe manner, being critically reflective and maintaining self-care strategies including ongoing professional supervision.

About this programme
Professionally-trained social workers are always in demand throughout Northland and New Zealand. Our applied degree programme is aimed at preparing you for the workplace. You’ll focus on how to practice in a culturally safe manner, developing the skills to be critically reflective and maintaining self-care strategies, including ongoing professional supervision. You’ll learn the theory, then practice your skills by carrying out fieldwork in a variety of settings.

This degree responds to the specific and current demands of social services within Tai Tokerau as well as meeting national requirements. It will ensure that you’ll be able to respond to constant change once you’re part of the workforce.

A commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and a global focus ensures our graduates are skilled and knowledgeable about a range of global issues which impact on Aotearoa New Zealand. Students will become equipped to effectively communicate and work within cross cultural and intercultural situations.

You’ll gain the knowledge and skills required in a competent social worker within the context of ethical practice and accountability. On completion you will receive the Bachelor of Applied Social Work – an approved qualification on the Social Worker Registration Board’s schedule for applying to become a registered social worker.

What you will learn
Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Social Work will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to work in a bi-cultural context and acknowledge the centrality of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to social work as a profession and in practice
Apply anti-oppressive social work values, knowledge and skills to complex situations to stimulate personal and social change in a range of work and social contexts
Have the ability to work with individuals, families or whānau, communities and groups from diverse ethnic, cultural and indigenous backgrounds
Demonstrate resilience and the ability to manage interpersonal conflict and challenges that arise in the context of social work practice
Demonstrate knowledge of the origins, purpose and development of Aotearoa New Zealand social work within a global context
Demonstrate professional literacy and numeracy, critically evaluate scholarship, critique and apply diverse knowledge and research to social work practice
Demonstrate an ability to think critically, and effectively analyse, synthesise and apply information
Demonstrate the ability to work autonomously and make independent judgment from a well-informed social work position
Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others in multi-disciplinary teams, organisations and communities
Demonstrate a critical reflective approach to individual social work practice through supervision, peer review and self-evaluation
Demonstrate an ability to recognise own learning needs and participates in continuing professional development
Demonstrate an ability to effectively utilise ongoing professional supervision and a commitment to continuing professional development
Demonstrate understanding of, and ability to, integrate sustainability and contemporary social, political, psychological, economic, legal, environmental, cultural and indigenous issues within Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally into both social work as a profession and practice
Demonstrate an awareness of the level of skills, knowledge, information, attributes and abilities of a new social work graduate
Fieldwork Education

During the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of the degree students will be required to complete a minimum of 120 days in at least two different field placements.

Assessment

A pass grade for each course is necessary for continuation in the programme. Assessment is carried out by lecturers in a range of activities including written exams, assignments, case studies, group projects, simulated and actual clinical practice, oral presentations and portfolios.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Social Work will be able to work both independently and collectively demonstrating competence in interpersonal and intrapersonal communication and practice skills, that can lead to a range of careers including:
Social Workers
Community support workers
Whānau ora workers
Community advocates
Health workers
Drug and Alcohol social workers
Mental Health social workers and advocates
Housing support workers
Maori communities Kaiawhinas
Community Advisors
Family support workers