The development of a professional capabilities framework for social work in Aotearoa New Zealand

Authors

  • Neil Ballantyne Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
  • Liz Beddoe University of Auckland
  • Kathryn Hay Massey University
  • Jane Maidment University of Canterbury
  • Shayne Walker University of Otago
  • Caitlin Merriman Research Assistant

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11157/anzswj-vol34iss2id976

Keywords:

Professional capabilities, social work, newly qualified social workers

Abstract

Introduction: This research brief discusses methods used to co-produce a professional capabilities framework as the final part of a larger programme of research on enhancing the professional capabilities of newly qualified social workers.

Methods: This phase of the research programme began with a literature scan of five social work professional capability frameworks then used this information, along with data from earlier parts of the study, to engage a range of key stakeholders in co-production workshops using a structured, participatory, World Café approach.

Findings: Analysis of the data from the co-production workshops identified seven core values that underpinned capable social work practice in Aotearoa. It also identified ten core capabilities with a clear professional practice focus that were strongly supported by workshop participants.

Implications: Professional capabilities frameworks can guide and inform learning experiences of social workers at all levels of practice. The data collected during this phase of the project informed further development of the ten capabilities using a staged approach to practice development at three levels.

References

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW). (2019). Code of ethics. ANZASW.

Banks, S. (2021). Ethics and values in social work (5th ed.). Red Globe Press.

Ballantyne, N., Beddoe, L., Hay, K., Maidment, J., Walker, S., & Mayhew, Z. (2019). Enhancing the readiness to practise of newly qualified social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand (Enhance R2P) - Report on phase two: The readiness to practise of NQSWs. https://ako.ac.nz/ assets/Knowledge-centre/NPF16-003-Enhancing-the- readiness-to-practice-of-newly-qualified-social-workers/ cbcbe5dede/Report-on-Phase-Two-The-Readiness-to- Practise-of-NQSWs.pdf

Ballantyne, N., Beddoe, L., Hay, K., Maidment, J., Walker, S., & Merriman, C. (2019). Enhancing the readiness to practise of newly qualified social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand (Enhance R2P) -Report on phase three: The professional capabilities framework. Retrieved from https://ako.ac.nz/ knowledge-centre/enhancing-the-readiness-to-practise-of- newly-qualified-social-workers/report-on-phase-three-the- professional-capabilities-framework/

Ballantyne, N., Hay, K., Beddoe, L., Maidment, J., & Walker, S. (2019). Mapping and visualizing the social work curriculum. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 37(2–3), 184–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228835.2019.1609386

Beddoe, L. (2018). Social work education in Aotearoa New Zealand: Building a profession. Practice, 30(4), 305–320. https://doi.org/10.1080/09503153.2018.1478955

Beddoe, L., Hay, K., Maidment, J., Ballantyne, N., & Walker, S. (2018). Readiness to practice social work in Aotearoa New Zealand: Perceptions of students and educators. Social Work Education, 37(8), 955–967. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2018.1 497152

Children’s Commissioner. (2015). State of care 2015: What we learnt from monitoring child, youth and family.

Office of the Children’s Commissioner. https://www. childrenandyoungpeople.org.nz/publications/reports/ state-of-care-2015-what-we-learnt-from-monitoring-child- youth-and-family/

Fouché, C., & Light, G. (2011). An invitation to dialogue: “The World Café” in social work research. Qualitative Social Work, 10(1), 28–48. https://doi. org/10.1177/1473325010376016

Hay, K., Maidment, J., Beddoe, L., Ballantyne, N., Walker, S., & Mayhew, Z. (2019). Literature scan: Professional capabilities framework. Ako Aotearoa. https://ako. ac.nz/knowledge-centre/enhancing-the-readiness-to- practise-of-newly-qualified-social-workers/professional- capabilities-framework/

Ministry of Social Development. (2015). Expert panel final report: Investing in New Zealand’s children and their families. https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about- msd-and-our-work/work-pro- grammes/investing-in- children/investing-inchildren-report.pdf

Nash, M., & Munford, R. (2001). Unresolved struggles: Educating social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand. Social Work Education, 20(1), 21–34.

Downloads

Published

2022-07-16

How to Cite

Ballantyne, N., Beddoe, L., Hay, K., Maidment, J., Walker, S., & Merriman, C. (2022). The development of a professional capabilities framework for social work in Aotearoa New Zealand. Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, 34(2), 81–89. https://doi.org/10.11157/anzswj-vol34iss2id976

Issue

Section

Research Briefs