Call for expressions of interest
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 several people to support the Social Workers Registration Board’s review of its Education Programme Recognition Standards (PRS). Following our call for a co-leader for this valuable mahi late last year, we are now seeking expressions of interest for the following roles:
- Tangata whenua facilitators for PRS wānanga
- Pacific peoples facilitators for the PRS wānanga
- Members of a subject matter rōpu/reference group (ensuring the voices of diverse communities are heard, in particular Pacific voices)
- Sector representatives for the PRS wānanga.
What are our Programme Recognition Standards (PRS)?
All social work programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand must meet the SWRB Programme Recognition Standards (PRS) to continue to be recognised.
The Programme Recognition Standards (PRS) enable us to prescribe qualifications for social work in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Board uses PRS to assess education providers to ensure they deliver a social work degree that
- meets the principles under the Social Workers Registration Act and the scope of practice
- enables graduates to meet professional standards for entry into the social work profession such as the Code of Conduct and the Ten Core Competencies.
These standards are scheduled for review and approval by the Board on a four-year cycle: this current review process was originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to requirements of pandemic response.
Te Ao Māori He Ara Pūkenga – framework for the review
For the current review of the PRS, we are committed to a process of sector engagement underpinned by the principles and structure of He Arapaki, The SWRB Māori Development Strategy and Action Plan. He Arapaki is informed by our whakataukī – He ara Pūkenga, He Ara Tauwhiro, Hei Whakamana Mātā Waka – and its core values of Matatika, Manaaki, Mahitahi and Māia.
This review will be led jointly by co-leaders representing tangata whenua and tangata tiriti, working with the SWRB review team. Additionally, there will be initial and ongoing engagement with a tangata whenua rōpu contracted by the SWRB, and the SWRB Kāhui, who will all be integral to the facilitation and development of advice to the SWRB Board. A diverse subject matter/reference rōpu will also be called for to ensure the voices of Pacific peoples and diverse cultural groups are heard through the review.
The review process will start with a hui kanohi-ki-te-kanohi for the PRS co-leaders, tangata whenua facilitators and SWRB rōpu to wānanga and consider the proposed structure and process, develop Terms of Reference, and co-develop the pātai for proposed wānanga.
At present, six wānanga are being proposed, based around the existing six standards of governance, curriculum, field education, admission criteria, professional and stakeholder collaboration, and staffing resources. The six existing standards are a starting point for wānanga but they are not necessarily the kupu for the future standards.
It is proposed that each day-long wānanga will be facilitated by two tangata whenua social workers, bringing together tangata whenua and tangata tiriti reflection groups, unified by whakawhanaungatanga.
Tangata whenua wānanga facilitators
This group is to assist the co-leaders of the PRS review to establish appropriate process for stakeholder/sector consultation and to co-facilitate six wānanga. They will be invited to attend a hui on He Arapaki and to begin kōrero with the SWRB rōpu in Wellington in February 2022. They will be responsible for assisting the PRS co-leaders in developing a process for stakeholder/sector consultation through the six wananga, as well as developing terms of reference, and pātai for the wānanga. The SWRB will compensate you for your time in this role.
The closing date for this role has been extended to 18 February.
Pacific peoples facilitators
The facilitators will work alongside the tangata whenua wānanga facilitators to assist the co-leaders of the PRS review to establish appropriate process for stakeholder/sector consultation and to co-facilitate six wānanga. They will be invited to attend a hui on SWRB’s He Arapaki and to begin kōrero with the SWRB rōpu. The SWRB will compensate you for your time in this role.
The role of participants in the wānanga
We are inviting volunteer partners and sector interest groups including iwi providers and educators, social work representative groups, key employers, all other educators, akonga/tauira, and recent graduates to participate in the wānanga directly. We welcome expressions of interest from individuals and organisations wishing to be involved in one or more of the proposed six wānanga. Please let us know if there is one particular standard that is of interest to you, or if your interest is about all the standards.
Subject matter expert rōpu
The SWRB is also looking for a diverse group of volunteers to form a collaborative working group. They will be invited to attend a zoom hui on He Arapaki and mihi whakatau with SWRB. They will receive background information about the PRS review process and feedback on the outcome of each wānanga. They will be invited to engage in korero with the PRS review rōpu as required throughout the review process. Our hope is that members of this group can draw on their expertise in collaborating with us on the proposed changes.
This role will close when we have achieved a suitable level of diversity and experience to inform the work of the rōpu.
To express an interest in any of these roles, please complete the following form.
This article was originally posted on 17 January 2022.
Latest update: 11 February 2022
