Kei ngā parikāranga, ngā Tauwhiro o te whakaaronui, tēnā anō tātou katoa

As Chair of the Board looking back over the year, I can say it has been one of the toughest but also one of the most rewarding. I want to thank and acknowledge you all for your mahi across the motu. As we begin to make plans for Christmas, I know that some people will be heading off for summer holidays, others will be working; in the circumstances this is made even more challenging by COVID-19 and now Omicron. 

One of the highlights of the year for me was that day in February when mandatory registration of social workers became a reality. I am proud that this was finally achieved, despite all of the challenges. It marks a significant step forward for the profession A huge thank you to Minister Sepuloni for her work and support in this achievement.  

As both a practitioner, and a regulator, wearing both hats has not always been comfortable.   However, I know that each of us in our different ways always strive to do what is best for the social work profession in the long term. I acknowledge both our Professional Bodies (TWSWA and ANZASW) for their advocacy and support over the past year.

To all my social work colleagues, I hope that you all will manage to take time to be with whānau and friends, have some sort of break and that wherever you are there is laughter and sunshine. I wish you all a peaceful time with whānau and friends.   

Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me Te Tau Hou. 

Shannon Pakura
SWRB Board Chair

Kei ngā manu tāiko, ngā manu tukutuku, tēnā rā koutou katoa  

While some of us are looking forward to a summer break, I know that for many of you it is the busiest, most challenging time. As communities navigate what the COVID-19 protection framework means for them, and the potential for spread of the virus as people travel around the country, this festive period could be more intense than ever.  

For those of you working through the season I hope that your mahi is recognised. Your dedication, care, expertise, and professional approach are so very valuable. I trust that in amongst all the pressures you find time to take a moment to rest and reflect on the year.   

Looking back over the past 12 months myself, I acknowledge what a huge year it has been for the profession. With mandatory registration we entered new territory and we are still settling into what that means to us as a modern regulator. As an organisation we have gone through a period of change and are still evolving. It has been especially important for us to strengthen the social work voice through the appointment of our Chief Advisor Social Work, alongside work to build our partnership with Māori. We gain strength from our refreshed values which now underpin all our work.   

Finally, I would just like to thank you all for your hard work throughout the year – as social workers, educators, employers, and colleagues in the sector. I would also like to express my appreciation and gratitude to SWRB staff and members of the Board for their hard work navigating us through the choppy waters of 2021. I look forward to us continuing our journey together with renewed energy in 2022! 

Tēnei te mihi ki a koutou, ā, kia pai tō wā whakatā  

Sarah Clark
Chief Executive

Be a part of our journey looking at the standards of social work education

He ara pūkenga, he ara tauwhiro, hei whakamana mātā waka 
The many pathways to knowledge, the many pathways of social work, upholding the dignity of all

We are looking for an experienced tangata whenua social worker to support the Social Workers Registration Board’s review of its Programme Recognition Standards (PRS). We are calling for expressions of interest for  someone with significant experience in the sector to co-lead this work. Experience in education would also be desirable.

Could it be you? Or do you have someone in mind who you would like to see shape this important mahi? Let us know.

Details are on the website: Tangata whenua co-leader for Programme Recognition Standards review. This includes further information about our PRS, the proposed approach for the review, and the skills and experience we need for this work. This is a paid, fixed-term role with an anticipated time commitment of approximately two days per week from mid-January through to end of June.

If this level of leadership role is not for you at the moment, there will be a number of other ways to get involved in the review – as a tangata whenua facilitiator, a member of the reference group for the project, or by participating in one or more of the proposed wānanga. Look out for another expression of interest for that part of our journey soon.

If you would like to discuss this work and the role of co-leader, please contact Catherine Hughes, Chief Advisor Social Work.

Future of Onboard

As we plan our communications for next year, we would be grateful for your feedback on our monthly Onboard newsletter. Please complete this very quick Onboard Newsletter Survey 2021 which should take less than three minutes to complete – unless you want to write us an essay! Or email Eleanor Harwood, Senior Communications Advisor with your thoughts, ideas and suggestions for next year’s Onboard. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.

Coming up soon…

Board decision on fees and levy changes

Thank you to everyone who provided a submission to our consultation on fees and levy changes. We appreciate the time and effort that was taken to respond. We expect to be able to circulate a summary of the Board decision next week.

Statement of Intent

This has now been published in the publications list on our website and will be presented in Parliament early next year. The Statement of Intent provides an overview of our strategic intentions for the next four years.

Meri Kirihimete!