Accountability scheme for social workers

Press, 6 October 1988, Page 17

Accountability scheme for social workers

By

DEBORAH McPHERSON

A radical new system of accountability for social workers has been established by the New Zealand Social Workers’ Association.

The system includes a board of education and competency, which would be responsible for issuing a New Zealand practising certificate for social work, said the association’s president, Mrs Lynne Briggs. The scheme was unique to New Zealand and was to encourage accountability and more bicultural social work practises, she said. Eventually a disciplinary committee for con-

sumer complaints would be set up, she said. Skills, experience and attendance at workshops would be recognised for the first time as well as formal academic qualifications. Not all social workers had academic qualifications, said Ms Briggs. Membership of the association is not compulsory, but any social worker wanting membership would have to be assessed and a certificate

of practise issued. Ms Briggs said it was important that social workers be competent, particularly in dealing with child abuse, where a mistake could be fatal. “It is essential to be able to recognise the signs and deal with the families in an appropriate way.” The new system had been received favourably by many social workers, although some had criticised it as being “elitist,” said Ms Briggs.