Our degree programme is aimed at preparing you for the workplace and has a focus on how to practice in a culturally safe manner, being critically reflective and maintaining self-care strategies including ongoing professional supervision.
About this programme
Professionally-trained social workers are always in demand throughout Northland and New Zealand. Our applied degree programme is aimed at preparing you for the workplace. You’ll focus on how to practice in a culturally safe manner, developing the skills to be critically reflective and maintaining self-care strategies, including ongoing professional supervision. You’ll learn the theory, then practice your skills by carrying out fieldwork in a variety of settings.
This degree responds to the specific and current demands of social services within Tai Tokerau as well as meeting national requirements. It will ensure that you’ll be able to respond to constant change once you’re part of the workforce.
You’ll gain the knowledge and skills required in a competent social worker within the context of ethical practice and accountability. On completion you will receive the Bachelor of Applied Social Work – an approved qualification on the Social Worker Registration Board’s schedule for applying to become a registered social worker.
What you will learn
Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Social Work will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to work in a bi-cultural context and acknowledge the centrality of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to social work as a profession and in practice
- Have the ability to work with individuals, families or wh?nau, communities and groups from diverse ethnic, cultural and indigenous backgrounds
- Demonstrate professional literacy and numeracy, critically evaluate scholarship, critique and apply diverse knowledge and research to social work practice
- Demonstrate an ability to think critically, and effectively analyse, synthesise and apply information
- Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others in multi-disciplinary teams, organisations and communities
- Demonstrate a critical reflective approach to individual social work practice through supervision, peer review and self-evaluation
- Demonstrate an ability to recognise own learning needs and participates in continuing professional development
- Demonstrate an ability to effectively utilise ongoing professional supervision and a commitment to continuing professional development
- Demonstrate an awareness of the level of skills, knowledge, information, attributes and abilities of a new social work graduate.
Career pathways and opportunities
Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Social Work will be able to work both independently and collectively demonstrating competence in interpersonal and intrapersonal communication and practice skills, that can lead to a range of careers including:
Social Workers
Community support workers
Wh?nau ora workers
Community advocates
Health workers
Drug and Alcohol social workers
Mental Health social workers and advocates
Housing support workers
Maori communities Kaiawhinas
Community Advisors
Family support workers
NorthTec is committed to assuring that our students can articulate into related graduate and post graduate programmes offered by other tertiary institutions in New Zealand. Graduates of this programme may be prepared to undertake postgraduate study offered by a number of tertiary education providers for example:
- Master of Social Work - Massey University, Auckland University
- Master of Applied Practice (Social Practice) - Unitec