Bachelor of Social Work

Summary

Make a positive difference in the lives of others

Make a difference in your community. With a degree in social work you will be ready to help empower individuals, families and diverse groups to create positive change.

Through inquiry-based learning, you will develop the skills, knowledge and expertise to be a professional social worker in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) supports people from the Tairawhiti and Hawke’s Bay communities in becoming competent social work practitioners within their communities, Aotearoa New Zealand, and beyond. It enables registration as a social work practitioner in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The objective of this programme is to produce graduates who:

• Are empathic, non-judgmental, respectful, resilient and self-aware; and demonstrate integrity, authenticity and professionalism.
• Take a critical, reflective approach to social work practice that includes the use of supervision, continuing professional development, on-going learning and personal wellbeing.
• Are able to promote social justice and social change, and to uphold the principles of human rights in both the Aotearoa New Zealand and global contexts.
• Are able to work collaboratively and in partnership with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
• Understand the significance and implications of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and integrate this understanding into social work practice.
• Work in accordance with the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) Code of Ethics and the Social Work Registration Board (SWRB) Code of Conduct.
• Have an extensive knowledge base, skills and professional attributes to work across a range of diverse social work contexts and communities.
• Are proficient in professional literacies, including academic and research literacy, information literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy.

Career Opportunities and Outcomes

Social workers are an integral part of today’s society and you could find yourself assisting in a range of areas from setting up programmes and giving guidance to people and communities, to working with government agencies at a policy level.

This programme will provide you with the knowledge, skills and attributes required for social work practice in a variety of settings such as schools, hospitals, community groups or government agencies.

Possible agencies and or fields of practice where you could find employment as a social worker include: Oranga Tamariki, District Health Boards, DOVE, Birthright, Presbyterian Support Services, Family Works, schools, Community Mental Health Services, Disability Resource Centres, Age Concern, Iwi social services, Directions, prisons and a range of other social service agencies.