Matariki hunga nui, Matariki ahunga nui, Matariki manako nui
At the SWRB, it has given us an opportunity to reflect on the mahi we have done, acknowledge the great work social workers are doing in their communities, learn together and share time (and kai!). We were also fortunate to be able to share some of these activities with our neighbours from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. The acoustics as we sang waiata together in the atrium of our building were special indeed.
We recorded a vlog shortly before the long weekend, where Hohepa shares some more thoughts about Matariki and what it means for him and us as an organisation. You can find it on our website homepage.
We know that communities and workplaces continue to be affected by COVID-19 and other challenges. We hope that Matariki is an opportunity to find a sense of renewal and sustenance to keep on delivering the work you do with such heart and passion.
Ngā mihi mo te tau hou Māori
Sarah Clark, Chief Executive
Hohepa Patea, Chief Advisor Māori Development
Time to renew your Practising Certificate
Thank you to all who have renewed their Practising Certificates. If you have yet to do so, do it now!
How to renew your PC:
- Log in to your MySWRB (your username is your recorded email address)
- Click the ‘Renew my Practising Certificate’ button
- Confirm your details are correct
- Complete your online Practising Declaration
- Participate in the annual workforce survey.
- Download a copy of your PC by either clicking the “Download PC certificate” or “Download PC wallet size” button on the right-hand side.
Practising Certificates must be renewed by 30 June 2022
You need to complete your online declaration and make payment before 1 July 2022 to be able to practise social work in Aotearoa. Bank transfers may take a couple of days to process, which may cause a slight delay in your Practising Certificate being issued but card payments are processed instantly. Additional fees may be incurred for social workers who are late renewing their Practising Certificate.
If your employer has paid or is intending to pay for your Practising Certificate fee and Disciplinary levy, this will be displayed in your ‘interactions’ tab.
If you are not renewing your practising certificate this year, it is important to let us know by declaring yourself as ‘non-practising’ in MySWRB.
If you have any questions, you can contact us at applications@swrb.govt.nz or phone 0508 797 269. Please note this is a busy period with high call volumes which may result in extended wait times.
Te Kāhui Māori update
In early June, we held our second meeting of the SWRB Te Kāhui Māori – the committee of external experts who specialise in providing a Te Ao Māori perspective to the SWRB Board.
It was a stimulating meeting as Te Kāhui challenged us to be more explicit in our articulation of how we are supporting the Crown as a Treaty partner.
In our Tiriti statement we say: As the SWRB, we recognise our Crown-Māori commitment as a Te Tiriti O Waitangi partner and are committed to improving services and outcomes for Māori, strengthening the Crown’s relationship with Māori, and developing our Māori capability.
Te Kāhui questioned how this influences the way we operate and what it means for our future strategic direction. They asked about our approach to the education standards review where Te Tiriti has been embedded throughout the process.
We look forward to many more meetings and updating the sector on progress.
The Kāhui is made up of Graham Warren, Caroline Herewini, Hori Ahomiro, and Mahanga Maru who report to our Board Chair Shannon Pakura. They meet throughout the year, with four hui currently scheduled for 2022.
SWRB visit to NorthTec
Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro nōnā te ngahere
Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōnā te ao
The bird that consumes the miro owns the forest
The bird that consumes knowledge owns the world
Members of the SWRB sector engagement team headed north earlier this month to visit NorthTec | Tai Tokerau Wānanga for the re-recognition of their Bachelor of Applied Social Work degree.
With so many hui and visits being online recently, the team really enjoyed having the opportunity to meet staff and tauira in person. The two-day visit was an opportunity to assess how the programme meets the current Programme Recognition Standards.
The SWRB team were able hear from different members of the team supporting social work education at NorthTec, and to consider the insights, challenges and aspirations they shared. The team also shared some of their experiences from the education standards review in a session “Manaaki Tangata, Manaaki Whānau: Why enhancing the profession, ensures whānau gets the best of you.”
This was the first site visit of this type for Paula Bold-Wilson, SWRB Senior Advisor Social Work – Māori. For her, a highlight was meeting with tauira. She says:
“The tauira had such great ideas about their social work education. They are committed to doing the best they can for their communities and whānau when they graduate. Catherine [SWRB’s Chief Advisor Social Work] supported an exercise where they shared the words they associate with social work. It was affirming and inspiring to hear.”
Professional Conduct Committee – training
Professional Conduct Committees (PCCs) are established under the Social Workers Registration Act 2003 (the Act). Their role is to investigate concerns about social workers, which is part of enforcing the standards of practice expected of registered social workers.
Did you know?
- A PCC is composed of two registered social workers and a lay person. It is really important that there are practitioners on these panels to ensure that decisions are well-informed from a practice perspective.
- PCCs investigate concerns before coming to a decision on what the appropriate outcome is.
- PCCs are funded by the disciplinary levy and are separate statutory entities to the SWRB.
The work of the PCCs usually covers matters relating to conduct but can include health concerns also.
Recently the SWRB conducted a training session for PCC members, focusing on three main areas. Firstly, they received an overview of the strategic direction of the SWRB from the Chief Executive, followed by an introduction to He Arapaki from the Chief Advisor Māori Development, and lastly a presentation on the updates to the Act and a reminder about some legal principles from the SWRB legal advisor.
The training was very successful, with members engaging well throughout. The SWRB is grateful for the wisdom and insight PCC members bring. Their role is vital for lifting and supporting professional practice and public safety. PCCs consider matters of serious concern, and seek to do so in a way that maintains the dignity of all involved.
Checking the register
Our publicly accessible register of social workers provides details of social workers’ registration and practising status.
Social workers – are your details correct?
Check that your details are correct by logging into MySWRB, or check the register at on our website.
Employers – we recommend make checking the register part of your pre-employment checks when employing someone new.
If there are any doubts, or you think that information may be recorded incorrectly, please get in touch.
Introducing our new Senior Māori Advisor, Rawiri Kerekere Haapu
Kā noho nei au, kā tītiro, kā whakarongo ki ngā tai e pari nei ki te ākau.
Te ūrunga mai o ngā tīpuna. Kā piki taku titiro ki tōku maunga whakahī kō Ahititi ki te rangi, kō Waihīrere ki te whenua e. Ka kau hi atu rā ki te manu huruhuru ā Ruakapanga, e kō te pēka i rere mai kī ūta rā hei kura mō Māhaki. E kō te Mākauri ka ea. E whakarongo e koro te rere o te wai kaua kō te mimi a Pāwa. E kia hūaina, ko tēnei uri o Ngāti Kōhuru e tau nei e tuku i ngā kupu whakamiha.
My passion and drive is in lifting up our people using te reo and tīkanga Māori to be able to thrive in the world that we currently live in. I try to inspire, educate and inform our people on how they can use tīkanga and te reo Māori in their respective spaces.
I have been a part of a number of programmes over the past few years, one in particular that comes to mind is a Mau rākau wānanga that I help facilitate for young men from the age of 5 all the way up to the age of 18. This wānanga are for those who hail from the tribes within the Tairāwhiti region. Within this wānanga we teach a few thing’s from the marae process, which start with the matataki, pōhiri process and so on. We also work on the boys identity so that they can learn some stories about where they’re from and so on.
For me personally, I think that it is a really great time to be joining the SWRB as the Senior Māori Advisor. To where I can actually see Te reo and Tīkanga Māori being implemented into the SWRB, perfect example where our Matariki celebrations this past week.
“Mahia te mahi, hei painga mō te iwi”
Do the work for the betterment of the people.
Nā Te Puea Hērangi.
Annual Social Service Symposium
Join us for the annual social service symposium showcasing indigenous knowledge, practice and research. A one day live-streamed event committed to culturally responsive practice and meeting Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. Please share with your colleagues and any organisations you think would benefit from hearing the kōrero of this incredible line up of speakers.
Speakers:
Dame Rangimārie Naida Glavish (KEYNOTE), Ruth Jones, Caroline Herewini, Gerrard Albert, Dr Monica Koia, Shayne Walker
Brought to you by Barnardos NZ, the SWRB and ANZASW
Multi-talented social workers!
A couple of photos to round off our Onboard this month. As part of our Matariki celebrations, we had a staff workshop learning about the star cluster and some of the traditions associated with the occasion. The SWRB social workers took it to another level with their interactive presentation!
Paula Bold-Wilson, Senior Advisor Social Work Māori does her best to keep Senior Advisors Social Work Dr David McNabb and Andrew Thompson in check!
Published 30 June 2022