Bachelor of Applied Social Work

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.

A commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and a global focus ensures our graduates are skilled and knowledgeable about a range of global issues which impact on Aotearoa New Zealand. Students will become equipped to effectively communicate and work within cross cultural and intercultural situations.

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
• Apply anti-oppressive social work values, knowledge and skills to complex situations to stimulate personal and social change in a range of work and social contexts
• Have the ability to work with individuals, families or whānau, communities and groups from diverse ethnic, cultural and indigenous backgrounds
• Demonstrate resilience and the ability to manage interpersonal conflict and challenges that arise in the context of social work practice
• Demonstrate knowledge of the origins, purpose and development of Aotearoa New Zealand social work within a global context
• 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 autonomously and make independent judgment from a well-informed social work position
• 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 understanding of, and ability to, integrate sustainability and contemporary social, political, psychological, economic, legal, environmental, cultural and indigenous issues within Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally into both social work as a profession and practice
• Demonstrate an awareness of the level of skills, knowledge, information, attributes and abilities of a new social work graduate

Fieldwork Education

During the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of the degree students will be required to complete a minimum of 120 days in at least two different field placements.

Assessment

A pass grade for each course is necessary for continuation in the programme. Assessment is carried out by lecturers in a range of activities including written exams, assignments, case studies, group projects, simulated and actual clinical practice, oral presentations and portfolios.

Educational Criteria​

Completed NCEA level 3 with University Entrance including at least:

• 14 credits in an English language rich subject, e.g. English, history, art history, classics, geography, economics

Alternative Educational Criteria

• Minimum of 'B' passes in a relevant Level 3 Foundation Programme

Or

• Evidence of recent successful study in other relevant courses at tertiary level

Or

• Documented verifiable evidence of relevant work life experience (usually the equivalent of two year’s full time) that indicates the ability to meet the requirements of this degree. Such evidence would normally include details of roles/responsibilities undertaken, interpersonal skills, other achievements and referee statements. Admission under this provision requires an interview with and approval from the Pathway Manager.

English Language Requirements

If English or Māori is not the applicant’s first language, or if the applicant did not undertake their secondary schooling in English, candidates will need to have passed an English language proficiency test with an Academic IELTS score of at least 6.5 in all bands. This result must be from a single test undertaken in the last two years.

Additional Entry Requirements for all Bachelor of Applied Social Work applicants

To be eligible for admission to the programme an applicant must have successfully completed the application form and met the additional admission criteria. These criteria are designed to ensure you can successfully undertake placement and meet the requirements of the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB).

The SWRB require that NorthTec has a robust selection process for admission to the degree. As part of this process we will conduct referee checks. The purpose of obtaining a third party referee is to validate information obtained about you.  As the programme consists of personal development, professional development and academic study and work place experience, successful applicants need to have attributes which will ensure success in all the above. It is important, therefore, that we have information that will enable us to make sound selection choices.  This questionnaire has two functions to assess the suitability of the applicant for entry and to briefly identify the knowledge, skills and attributes the applicant will bring to the programme. Please have a referee complete the online form above.

Alternatively the statement which schools provide for school leavers is an acceptable alternative to this reference form.

The information and opinion provided in this report constitute “personal information” in terms of the Privacy Act 1993. The person about whom this information and opinion are provided (the applicant) is entitled to have access to this report under IPP6 and to seek correction of this report under IPP7. Information or opinion provided in this report may be disclosed under IPP11 to the applicant and members of the Selection Committee.

Applicants must hold a full and unrestricted NZ drivers licence (Disability exemption available). This is a requirement for all Fieldwork placements.

Additional application requirements includes:

• Complete the Social Services Online Additional Information form.
• Have a referee complete the Online Social Services Referee Check (professional/educational) and the Online Social Services Referee Check (Children’s Act 2014).
• Provide a current police check. The Consent to Disclose Information will give permission for the NorthTec to obtain any records of criminal offences from the New Zealand Police. The Criminal Record (Clean Slate) Act 2004 does not apply therefore the complete criminal record of convictions will be disclosed.
  • If any convictions are disclosed by the applicant or are present on police vetting information, at least one of the two referees will be contacted for information regarding the applicants risk to the safety of others or self;
  • If the referee raises concerns, the application to enter the programme will be declined;
• Make confidential disclosure of:
  • Past or pending criminal offences;
  • Any prior or current involvement with Oranga Tamariki
  • Current status relating to use of any social service agency;
  • Current or past history of substance abuse and /or addictions (disclosures will be considered on a case by case basis and will not necessarily exclude students from selection, however this information may be disclosed to potential placement agencies as part of placement negotiations and may prevent Northland Polytechnic being able to provide fieldwork placement opportunities in such situations);
• New Zealand Driver License. Applicants must hold a full and unrestricted NZ Driver licence, which must be supplied to the Fieldwork Education Co-ordinator before enrolment into course 7737.6106 Integrating Theory and Practice, (Disability exemption available). This is a requirement for all Fieldwork placements.

Disclosures will be considered on a case by case basis and will not necessarily exclude students from selection. However, this information will be disclosed to potential placement agencies as part of placement negotiations and may prevent Northland Polytechnic being able to provide fieldwork placement opportunities in such situations.

Workforce Restrictions for Children's Workforce

The Children's Act 2014 was part of a series of comprehensive measures brought in to protect and improve the wellbeing of vulnerable children. If you have a criminal conviction, and you are studying (or considering studying) towards a qualification that will lead to a job in the state funded sector working directly with children, you need to check whether your conviction could prevent you from working in some roles in your chosen field.