Your new-grad social work survival kit
by Amy Ross, RSW
When you graduate and are looking for your first job as a social worker, it is really easy for the focus to be just on getting a job, any job. Fair enough too, given the cost of living, the financial pressures of study and the limited options for roles, particularly in some areas. The challenge with this is of course, like any imbalance of power (something I know social workers will understand) is that this can rob us of the ability to look for the things we need to set us up for success.
Social workers have a massive role, supporting people, thinking critically, challenging injustice, solving problems, navigating trauma and much much more. To do this well we need an employment environment which recognises the complexity of our work, the risks and of course the value. As beginning practitioners, we also need the chance to learn, develop, grow and reflect. We know that without this, burn out and people leaving the profession is a real issue.
With this in mind here are 5 things to keep in mind when looking for your first social work job. Remember in any job interview it is not just a chance for an employer to check you out but also a chance for you to find out more about the organisation and how social workers are supported as well. It may feel daunting to ask employers about these supports but kia kaha! It is not rude or demanding to ask good questions about the things you will need as a professional to deliver the highest quality services to your community. Standing up for yourself is one of the best ways to stand up for your future clients.
So here are the top 5 things to consider:
1. Supervision
As a new practitioner supervision will be critical to your success. Supervision is always important for all social workers, but as a new graduate your supervisor will be a key touchstone for you in your growth and development and a support for you when you face challenging situations. Check out with any potential employer that this is provided (and whether the cost is covered) for you. Supervision by an experienced registered social worker is of course ideal but ensuring that you at a minimum have regular (minimum monthly) access to an experienced registered professional that understands social work will make a real difference to growing into your role as a social worker successfully.
2. Professional Development
As a social worker you will be expected to do a minimum of 20 hours every year, of continuing professional development (CPD). This is a chance to continue to grow your skills, engage with other social workers, and stay in touch with best practice development and thinking. The challenge for many social workers can of course be the time and the cost of doing this. It can be super easy to get so overloaded with day-to-day mahi that there is little to no time to engage in ongoing learning. Some employers also do not provide funding for professional development, meaning it can be a struggle to do anything that costs money. Ask your potential employer, (and check things like a collective or individual employment agreement and associated policies) for any commitments they make to ensuring you have time and/or funding to access development annually. Don’t be shy to ask about this, we are professionals and need to ensure we maintain and develop our skills. Asking about this demonstrates you are committed to quality practice!
3. Peer Support
One of the best ways to learn is often by getting a chance to observe how other social workers go about their mahi and what skills they use. In organisations where there is a team of social workers (or even more than one), consider checking out whether you will get any opportunity to shadow or partner with another social worker at times. If you do get the chance, grab it as it is a wonderful way to learn and check out different ways of interacting. If the role is in an organisation that has no other social workers, I recommend asking about accessing opportunities to shadow or partner with a social worker for another organisation in the community a couple of times. This is also great learning and can enhance relationships between organisations, which in turn can strengthen the client experience.
4. Connect with your professional association
Another important tool the social workers kete is the connection with your professional association. Both Tangata Whenua Social Work Association (TWSWA) and Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) are amazing and important resources. They provide information, advocacy, CPD opportunities, cultural development, networking and more. There may be local branch meetings in your area which help you connect to other social workers. Many employers will pay part or all of the cost of joining your professional association. Consider asking a prospective employer (and checking employment agreements and policies) whether they will do this. If not it’s ok to ask them to whether they will do this, as the benefits for a social worker are extensive and if an employer understands the rich learning and connection you can gain from being a member of your professional body they may agree to helping you with the cost.
5. Strong social work grounding
There are some roles out there in which a social worker is not required, and the role could be filled by a non-degree qualified person. I am not referring here to roles which are not titled social worker, for many (if not most) social worker roles don’t use the term social work in the title. I am more thinking in this example of new social work graduates who enter roles in which their peers doing the same mahi are level 4 support worker qualified (or similar) and the job description doesn’t mention needing a registered professional or social worker (though this might be a nice to have). In these roles you will certainly use your social work skills and undoubtedly be an asset.
However it is worth considering when you are a new graduate:
- Am I getting the stretch, learning, growth and support I need to develop as a new practitioner?
- Does this role apply a Māori centred approach, enabling mana enhancing practice?
If the answer is no, then being in this kind of role does raise the possibility of you not getting the honing of skills and advancement you need, and this can be a shock if you change roles later on. A role like this is also less likely to have the infrastructure to support a social worker (such as the things I have covered off in numbers 1-5). If you are keen on a role that fits this description (or similar) consider talking to the potential employer about your professional identity as a social worker and how they may support you to enhance and develop this. This should benefit the employer, the social worker and the clients overall so it is a win win scenario.
Good luck in the job hunt!
Thank you for being part of the social work community, we are (no bias whatsoever-LOL) the most fabulous of professions!
Please do not hesitate to give us at SWRB a call or drop us an email if you have any questions about registration, practicing certificates or the Code of Conduct.
Amy Ross, RSW.
Chief Advisor – Social Work
SWRB
