‘Loitering with intent’ – a model of practice for working in a New Zealand secondary school

Authors

  • Charmaine Wheeler Completed the Massey BSW in 2008, having moved to New Zealand from Britain five years ago.
  • Helen Simmons A Professional Clinician in the Massey University social work programme.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11157/anzswj-vol21iss3id274

Keywords:

secondary schools, social work in schools, secondary school placement,

Abstract

What are the critical ingredients that enable social work involvement in the empowerment of a secondary school community? Social work in schools has become a growing field of practice in New Zealand primary schools in the last 15 years. Social workers are less common in secondary schools and where they are practising, the predominant model for practice is casework or counselling. This paper presents a dialogue between a final year BSW student and a practice teacher who acted as an external supervisor during the student’s final placement. It highlights the process, activities and learning that occurred when a ‘loitering with intent’ community development approach was adopted by the student in a decile 4 rural secondary school with 500 pupils. Strength-based and social justice themes permeate the experience. Important insights are shared into key factors contributing to the success of the placement and to the sustainable programmes that endured after its conclusion.

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Published

2017-07-17

How to Cite

Wheeler, C., & Simmons, H. (2017). ‘Loitering with intent’ – a model of practice for working in a New Zealand secondary school. Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, 21(3), 38–45. https://doi.org/10.11157/anzswj-vol21iss3id274

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 3 (2009)

Section

Articles

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