Parliament considering how the social work sector operates

New Zealanders are being encouraged to have their say about how social work is carried out. Alfred Ngaro, Chairperson of the Social Services Committee, today announced that the committee has established an inquiry to look at how well the legislation underlying the social work sector is working.

“It’s important that we hear the public’s views on this topic so that we can make well-informed decisions about what, if any, changes are necessary to improve social work in New Zealand. We are specifically inviting submissions on the points included in our terms of reference for the inquiry,” Mr Ngaro said.

As part of a wider review of the current operation of the Social Workers Registration Act 2003 the Minister for Social Development has presented an issues paper to the committee. The paper identifies and discusses key issues with the current operation of the Act, including its relationship with other legislation such as the Vulnerable Children Act 2014. The Minister has asked the committee to consider these issues and the options to address them, with a view to making recommendations to Government for legislative reform. In this context, the terms of reference for the inquiry are to consider:

• whether registration of social workers should be mandatory and the potential challenges to registration at present

• the adequacy of current competence assessments and other pre-requisites for registration

• how fitness to practise social work is assessed by the Board

• the level of oversight of social workers by the Social Workers Registration Board

• the process and powers of the Complaints Assessment Committee

• the adequacy of grounds of discipline and sanctions available to the Social Workers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal

• the appropriateness of suspension and cancellation of registration and practising certificates as sanctions for non-compliance.

The closing date for submissions is Wednesday, 13 July 2016.

ENDS

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