scholarly journals Social work and service improvement: An example from the first youth forensic forum

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-91
Author(s):  
Joanna Appleby
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Service Improvement ◽  
Youth Justice ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
The People

INTRODUCTION: This article focuses on the social work contribution to service improvement by reflecting on the establishment of the first youth forensic forum in Aotearoa New Zealand, held in October 2018.APPROACH: An exploration of the Aotearoa New Zealand context that led to the establishment of the first youth forensic workforce forum is presented. Issues included disjointed mental health care for young offenders who move between secure residences, concerns about over- assessment of vulnerable young people, silo-ed specialist youth forensic knowledge, and a disconnected workforce. Led by a social worker, youth forensic workforce issues were addressed through the inaugural national youth forensic forum in 2018. The aim of the forum was to bring a disparate workforce together in order to improve mental health assessment experiences for young people within youth justice residences. This initiative was grounded in social work approaches of Māori responsivity, networking, ecological systems and relational practice.CONCLUSION: Social workers have an important role in advocating for, and effecting, system change. The process for doing so within the youth forensic forum is presented. Social workers in all fields of practice are encouraged to consider how they work to make systems more responsive to the people they serve.

Social Work and Its Complexity in Aotearoa New Zealand

2020 ◽  
pp. 16-36
Author(s):  
Shahul Hameed ◽  
Anthony Raman
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
The People ◽  
The Social ◽  
Chaotic Nature ◽  
Developed World

The Social workers need to call on a broad range of sources of bodies of knowledge and respond to the complexity and its chaotic nature of situations arising in social work profession. There appears to be dire need to consider the use of (a) the theoretical knowledge into practice by being more caring and supportive with the aim of (b) disentangling the various elements of a complex system and enhancing the resilience both of the people involved and the social and organizational systems that they are inter-twined with people lives. The current acknowledgement of the bi-cultural framework by the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) is no doubt a positive move towards infusing indigenous practice frame work into dealing with the chaotic nature and complexity of the social work profession in New Zealand but still remains to be seen in actual social work practice .The purpose of this chapter is to attempt to explore the potential of infusing Indigenous bodies of knowledge into practice against the background of the complexity nature of the social work profession in a developed world like New Zealand.

Social Work and Its Complexity in Aotearoa New Zealand

2016 ◽  
pp. 93-113
Author(s):  
Shahul Hameed ◽  
Anthony Raman
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
The People ◽  
The Social ◽  
Chaotic Nature ◽  
Developed World

The Social workers need to call on a broad range of sources of bodies of knowledge and respond to the complexity and its chaotic nature of situations arising in social work profession. There appears to be dire need to consider the use of (a) the theoretical knowledge into practice by being more caring and supportive with the aim of (b) disentangling the various elements of a complex system and enhancing the resilience both of the people involved and the social and organizational systems that they are inter-twined with people lives. The current acknowledgement of the bi-cultural framework by the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) is no doubt a positive move towards infusing indigenous practice frame work into dealing with the chaotic nature and complexity of the social work profession in New Zealand but still remains to be seen in actual social work practice .The purpose of this chapter is to attempt to explore the potential of infusing Indigenous bodies of knowledge into practice against the background of the complexity nature of the social work profession in a developed world like New Zealand.

scholarly journals Clinical social work in Aotearoa New Zealand: Origins, practice, and future implications

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Appleby ◽  
Barbara Staniforth ◽  
Caroline Flanagan ◽  
Clarke Millar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Narrative Therapy ◽  
Clinical Social Work ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Clinical Social Workers ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand

INTRODUCTION: Clinical social work is practised with individuals, groups and families in areas concerned with mental health and counselling for people’s wellbeing. As a field of practice, it has been insufficiently researched and often not understood in Aotearoa New Zealand. This article provides an overview of clinical social work in Aotearoa New Zealand.APPROACH: This is a theoretical article that discusses the development of social work, and clinical social work, in this country; attention is paid to professionalisation debates and registration. There is an overview of the social work training landscape and post-qualifying mental health specialisation options, with a brief discussion about the New Entry to Specialist Practice model for social workers. Theoretical underpinnings of clinical social work interventions are canvassed, including systemic models, recovery approaches, strengths-based models, indigenous models, narrative therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy. Four vignettes of clinical social work are presented, before a discussion about the future implications for clinical social work in Aotearoa New Zealand.CONCLUSION: Clinical social workers have a range of knowledge and skills to work with people in mental distress. A challenge is issued to clinical social workers to continue to uphold social work values within multidisciplinary mental health services. The development of a clinical scope of practice in the context of recent mandatory registration for social workers is recommended.

scholarly journals Speaking the same language: Navigating information-sharing in the youth justice sphere

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-71
Author(s):  
Joanna Appleby ◽  
Dr Matthew Shepherd ◽  
Dr Barbara Staniforth
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Young People ◽  
Information Sharing ◽  
Youth Justice ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Multiple Systems ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Forensic Service ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Qualitative research was undertaken to explore professionals’ experiences of cross-sector information-sharing about the mental health needs of young people in youth justice residences in Aotearoa New Zealand. Methods: Eight focus groups (N = 36) were conducted across Aotearoa New Zealand. Half of these were with case leaders from each of the four Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children – youth justice residences. The other half were with youth forensic service (YFS) clinicians who provide mental health services in each youth justice residence. Findings: The findings showed positive cross-sector relationships, despite a lack of policy around information-sharing in this context. Themes from case leaders included the practicalities of the residential environment (including restriction on young people’s freedoms and managing group safety), and case leaders’ brokerage role between competing theoretical frameworks in residence. Themes from YFS clinicians included the importance of cross-sector information-sharing for the assessment and discharge phases of mental health input. Overall themes included the impact of relationships on information-sharing, and the importance of including residential care team staff within information-sharing practices. A proposed model of information-sharing in this context has been developed.Conclusions: Effective information-sharing in youth justice residences is imperative to ensure that young people receive appropriate mental health input in residences, and that residence staff are supported to provide the best care for these young people. Social work has an important role within information-sharing practices with use of systems theory, translation of clinical jargon, and advocacy for the needs of young people involved in multiple systems.

scholarly journals Competent solidarity: the alternative for professional social work

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-144
Author(s):  
Alastair Russell
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Radical Politics ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
The People ◽  
Definition Of

There is very little evidence of radical politics within social work and community development in Aotearoa/New Zealand where social workers here are caught in the constricting grasp of professionalism. Community development is strictly confined through funder capture and the “no politics” embargo of the Charities Commission. These realities sit comfortably within the oppressions perpetrated by neoliberalism. Professionalism is not compatible with a fight against the neoliberal status quo. The fight against poverty and its social consequences should be the focus of social work and community development. Within the professional paradigm, social workers have become increasingly irrelevant to the people they work with. An alternative paradigm is needed to make social work relevant. The paradigm shift advocated here is to replace professionalism with competent solidarity.This extended viewpoint article provides a definition of competent solidarity and considers the implications of competent solidarity in Aotearoa/New Zealand. It will then discuss the problems that emerge within professional social work and apolitical community development. Competent solidarity case studies from within Auckland Action Against Poverty are provided and opportunities for future action are discussed.

Still doing what we do: Defining social work in the 21st century

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Staniforth ◽  
Christa Fouché ◽  
Michael O'Brien
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Social Work Educators ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Indigenous Perspectives ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Work Education

• Summary: Members of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) were asked to provide their definition of social work. Over 300 responses were analysed thematically in order to determine if practitioner views corresponded to recent shifts in social work education and theory which emphasized the importance of social change, strengths based perspectives and the importance of local and indigenous contexts. • Findings: The findings demonstrate that while there was some recognition of social change and strengths-based perspectives in the definitions of social work provided, that those working in the field remain focused on ‘helping individuals, families and groups’ engage in change. Respondents did not, for the most part, acknowledge local or indigenous perspectives in their definitions. • Applications: Results from this study may be useful for social work professional organizations, and social work educators, students and future researchers who are interested in the definition of social work and its scopes of practice.

Zooming in: Social work supervisors using online supervision

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 126-130
Author(s):  
Jason Rushton ◽  
Jo Hutchings ◽  
Karen Shepherd ◽  
Jude Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Professional Supervision ◽  
Online Supervision ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Social Work Practitioners ◽  
Online Group

A group of geographically dispersed social work practitioners who provide professional supervision responded to an invitation put out through the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) networks to be part of an online group in late 2015. Seven members committed to meeting for one hour every eight weeks using the online meeting platform, ZoomTM. This viewpoint provides an opportunity to share our experience of the development and process of this group, with its potential for ensuring a safe reflective space and ongoing professional development. 

Profile of Young People Attending Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services in Aotearoa, New Zealand: Clinical File Search

2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 963-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ria Schroder ◽  
Doug Sellman ◽  
Chris Frampton ◽  
Daryle Deering
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Health Disorder ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Clinical File

Objective: The aim of the present study was to provide a profile of young people attending alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Method: Data were gathered from a clinical file search of 184 randomly selected young people aged 13–19 years who had attended one of eight youth AOD treatment services in New Zealand during 2003 or 2004. These services represented eight of the 11 youth-specific AOD services available to youth in New Zealand. Results: Young people who attend youth-specific AOD services in New Zealand present with a range of complex needs including substance use and mental health issues, criminality, family conflict and disengagement from school. A total of 62.0% were male, 56.4% had criminal convictions, 40.6% had spent some time in Child, Youth and Family Services care and 53.8% were reported to have a coexisting substance use and mental health disorder. Low rates of reporting of substance use and mental health diagnoses in treatment files suggest that substance use and mental health disorders among this population are likely to be higher than those reported. Conclusions: This paper provides a unique profile of young people attending youth-specific AOD treatments in New Zealand. Such information is useful in informing treatment planning and funding and ensuring that service development occurs to specifically meet the complex needs of this patient group.

scholarly journals Supervision, support and professional development for newly qualified social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Beddoe ◽  
Neil Ballantyne ◽  
Jane Maidment ◽  
Kathryn Hay ◽  
Shayne Walker
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Great Variability ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Integrated Systems ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Recent Graduates

INTRODUCTION: Many social work professional bodies and regulators mandate regular supervision and professional development. Supervision is believed to support continuing development of professional skills, safeguarding of competent and ethical practice, oversight of the practitioner’s work for adherence to organisational expectations, and support for practitioner wellbeing.METHOD: Phase two of the Enhancing the Readiness to Practice of Newly Qualified Social Workers (Enhance R2P) project employed a mixed methods study (surveys and interviews) to explore how well prepared newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) are, in their first two years of practice, to enter professional social work. A survey of managers/supervisors and NQSWs in Aotearoa New Zealand about the readiness to practise of recent graduates was conducted.FINDINGS: Questions about supervision and professional development were included in the survey and in interviews with both NQSWs and supervisors/managers. Around half of NQSWs were supervised at least once every two weeks, but another half were supervised monthly or less frequently. Observation of practice by supervisors was either very infrequent or entirely absent from the professional development of NQSWs.IMPLICATIONS: Study findings revealed great variability in the formal supervision and other supports available for NQSWs which may impact on retention and practitioner wellbeing. More integrated systems of supervision, peer support and planned professional development are needed.

scholarly journals Aotearoa New Zealand social workers and their views of inclusion of animals in social work practice – A descriptive study

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 8-25
Author(s):  
Polly Yeung ◽  
Nicole Robertson ◽  
Lucy Sandford-Reed
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Exposure Level ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand

PURPOSE: Given the benefits of the human–animal bond (HAB), animals are being used in a range of social work settings. It is important to gain a more in-depth understanding of social work practitioners’ knowledge and actions in these interactions. The purpose of this study was to examine the views and knowledge of social workers in relation to the HAB in Aotearoa New Zealand. METHODS: A survey using an online portal was administrated to qualified social workers via professional and community networks to assess their exposure, level of knowledge, support, training, and barriers to animal–human relations. RESULTS: A total of 140 questionnaires were used for analysis. The results, similar to findings from Canada and the United States, indicate that social workers seemed to have high exposure to information about the benefits of HAB and understanding of the connections between animal abuse and child abuse/domestic violence. Only 68% have included animals in their social work practice. The vast majority have had no specific training in HAB. Untested or untrained animals were also reported to have been used in social work intervention practice. The lack of clear workplace policies, support and professional training in HAB were key barriers that inhibited the inclusion of animals in practice. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of understanding over how to include HAB in practice has serious implications for social work. HAB continues to influence and contribute to the lives of families and individuals and social workers have a duty to develop general awareness and knowledge of the benefits to human health and wellbeing of interacting with animals.

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