Professional Social Work Practice

77122

This online course introduces learners to the history and development of professional social work practice in Aotearoa New Zealand including its unique indigenous and bicultural context and its relationship to international social work. Learners will consider the nature of professionalism, professional regulation, and the requirements of professional accountability in the “risk society”.

  •  
    Level
    5
  •  
    Credits
    20
  •  
    Cost
    2025
    2024
    $910 NZ Domestic
  •  
    EFTS
    0.1667
  • Delivery type
    Online only
  • Teaching weeks 16 weeks
  • Workload Approximately 13 hours per week
  •  
    Prerequisites

    If you need to discuss prerequisites for this course
    contact us

The types of knowledge, skills and values underpinning professional social work practice will be discussed, and key aspects of the legislative and ethical framework described. The different organisational contexts for social work practice will be considered and learners will be introduced to reflective practice and the use of professional supervision

For more information watch the course introduction video below.

Students who successfully complete this online course will be able to

  • Discuss the origins, development and the indigenous and bicultural context of social work and community development in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relationship with international social work practice.
  • Discuss professionalism, professional regulation and accountability in the context of the “risk society”.
  • Describe the types of knowledge, skills, values and ethical frameworks for professional social work practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Describe the legislative framework underpinning social work practice in Aotearoa New Zealand including obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
  • Discuss the diverse organisational, social and cultural contexts for social work and community development practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Explain the purposes of professional supervision and reflective, self-aware practice.
  • Formulate information search questions, identify relevant sources and find needed information.

Course content

Topics will include:

  • the development of social work in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally
  • the unique indigenous and bicultural context for the development of social work practice in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • volunteerism and the rise of professional social work – including community, faith-based, not-for-profit and indigenous movements
  • the nature of professionalism, professional regulation and social work practice in the “risk society”
  • professional knowledge, skills and values for social work practice
  • social work, regulation and the state
  • the legislative framework for professional social work including obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi
  • the organisational, social and cultural contexts for professional social work
  • social and community development practice in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • the functions of supervision
  • self-aware, relationship-based and reflective practice
  • developing a personal practice model
  • Skills to formulate information search questions, identify relevant sources, and find needed information

Delivery and support

Students will undertake self-directed study working through a series of modular course materials consisting of a learning guide and core course readings. Brief text-based scenarios and reflective exercises embedded within the course materials will help connect theories and concepts with practice situations.

Course materials will be accessible online where students can also access formative quizzes for self-assessment of key course concepts. A discussion forum will be available to post questions and issues and a lecturer will be accessible by telephone and/or email.

Resources 

Resources will include:

  • course materials and a selection of key articles (paper based and in pdf)
  • a course asynchronous discussion forum
  • interactive quizzes to test knowledge of key concepts
  • a course web page with recommended and additional resources (some accessible online and some through the Open Polytechnic Library).

Computer and internet requirements

To complete this course you will need access to a laptop or desktop computer, reliable broadband internet connection and a data plan able to support online learning such as streaming of videos (including YouTube), downloading content, and writing and submitting online assessments. If you are unsure if your current computer or internet access allows you to complete your online learning with us, please contact us before applying to enrol.

How to enrol

Before enrolling in this course you need to:

  • choose the qualification you will study the course under
  • check the order that courses in the qualification should be studied in the Qualification Structure table. This is in the Choose courses and apply tab on the qualification page.

Work towards

Course availability over the next 12 months

Apr
May
Jun

June enrolment dates

Enrol by -
Course starts -
Course ends -
11 Jun 2024
24 Jun 2024
13 Oct 2024
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2025
Jan
Feb

Dates for this course are not finalised yet

Check back later

Enrol by -
Course starts -
Course ends -
To be confirmed
To be confirmed
To be confirmed
Mar
  •  
    Level
    5
  •  
    Credits
    20
  •  
    Cost
    2025
    2024
    $910 NZ Domestic
  •  
    EFTS
    0.1667
  • Delivery type
    Online only
  • Teaching weeks 16 weeks
  • Workload Approximately 13 hours per week
  •  
    Prerequisites

    If you need to discuss prerequisites for this course
    contact us