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Level 5
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20 Credits
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0.1667 EFTS
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Course duration: 16 weeks
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Workload - Approximately 13 hours per week
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”.
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
This course is delivered online, so you will access the course and do your study online, which generally includes reading and doing activities, watching videos, downloading content, and writing and submitting assessments online.
For online learning you need:
- Access to a laptop or desktop computer
- Reliable broadband internet and a data plan
Find out more about online learning
If you are unsure if your current computer or internet access will allow you to study online please contact us.