He ara pūkenga, he ara tauwhiro, hei whakamana mātā waka
The many pathways of knowledge, the many pathways of social work, upholding the dignity of all
The start of the new year is a great opportunity to pause and look ahead at the work to come. It’s an excellent time for planning.
At the SWRB, 2025 is bringing new faces to our Board, including incoming Board Chair Mike Munnelly along with fellow social worker Ruth Jones. A new lay member in the process of being recruited.
With Mike taking on Board responsibilities, a vacancy has been created for the secretariat of Special Advisor, Social Work. It’s an important role for our senior leadership team, providing high level strategic and social work sector advice. Please look at the details in this Onboard and share with your networks.
We look forward to sharing more about our work in 2025 over the coming months, but here is a taste of what’s in store:
- continuous improvement in regulatory systems and processes, including refreshed engagement with social workers, and improvements in complaints and disciplinary processes
- work on the new education standards, sharing the proposed processes for prescription and review of social work qualification, and consultation on the fee component of the education regulatory function
- reviewing the Social Workers Registration Act 2003 – something we are expected to do on a five-year cycle.
While acknowledging that many of our social workers have continued to provide essential support through the holiday, I hope that everyone has managed to find some time to rest and rejuvenate. Whether you have enjoyed time with whānau, getting out into the summer weather or doing something completely different, I hope that it has set you up well for the year ahead.
Ngā mihi nui,
Sarah Clark
Chief Executive
Job opportunity: Special Advisor, Social Work
The SWRB has an exciting opportunity for a part-time Special Advisor, Social Work to join our team.
This is a part time role (two days a week) that could be undertaken from anywhere in the country for the right candidate, however you will be required in the Wellington office from time to time. If you are passionate about social work, have suitable experience to be able to provide advice and support to the Chief Executive on current and emerging issues for the social work sector and meet the requirements outlined in the job description, we would love to hear from you!
For information about the role, please visit our jobs page. To apply please submit your CV and cover letter via the Seek website. Applications close 9 February 2025.
Screening registration applications and competency assessments for AI-generated content
Last year, we announced in Onboard that we would start to screen registration applications for the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI). We are now rolling out an automated screening tool to detect the use of Gen AI in applications, starting with screening competence assessment forms submitted by social worker registration applicants.
Public safety is at the forefront of our approach, and this screening allows us to make an accurate assessment of an applicant’s competency. No personal identifiers or confidential information is entered into the verification system.
All new applicants will need to confirm that their application is their original work and does not use generative AI. A declaration will be included in the application materials, similar to those used by tertiary institutions.
If an application is indicated to have more than 10% of AI generated content, then the applicant will be asked to resubmit their application using their own content.
The screening process and attempts to resubmit does not influence the board’s decision and all applications are evaluated on their merits. We have updated our website with information for applicants about this approach: Read more here.
Printed Resources
We have developed new resources to support social workers, including Code of Conduct brochures.
You can download the resources from our website or you can request copies be sent to you by emailing us at comms@swrb.govt.nz.
Keeping your details up to date
As we enter a new year, it is the perfect opportunity to ensure that your MySWRB details are current.
Whether you are a registered social worker, or an authorised employer of social workers, it is important that we have the correct information for you, especially ahead of the next Practising Certificate renewal period.
How to update contact details:
- Log in to your MySWRB
- Select ‘My Details’ Tab
- Review and edit details
- Select ‘save’.
New Authorised Employers
If you are not yet an Authorised Employer but wish to become one ahead of this this year’s Practising Certificate period, you can do so by completing the necessary documents.
SWRB Authorised Employers are able to:
- Receive fortnightly consolidated invoices for their employed social workers Practising Certificate and Registration fees.
- Pay invoices via bank transfer (not available to individuals), or via credit/debit card within their Authorised Employer account.
- View their employees’ registration, practising, and practising certificate renewal status.
More information can be found on the website at swrb.govt.nz/authorised-employer/ or you can email employerqueries@swrb.govt.nz.
Resuming digital Q&A sessions
We know that many social work students are in the process of finalising their last year of study and final placements. To help, we have resumed our weekly zoom sessions on Thursdays at 1pm.
For those who are about to enter the social work profession and are looking to become registered, we invite you to join our digital information sessions with any questions you may have around the registration process, maintaining CPD and holding a Practising Certificate.
The sessions continue to be held on Thursdays at 1pm and can be accessed via this link: https://bit.ly/31H8XEq.
