18 August 2017

Social Worker Registration Costs a Concern

Social Service Providers Aotearoa national manager Brenda Pilott has welcomed the Social Worker Registration Bill being referred to a select committee. The Bill had its first reading on the last sitting day of Parliament.

“This is an important Bill. It will make a fundamental change to the social work profession, with registration becoming mandatory and the title of ‘social worker’ protected for only those who are registered,” said Brenda Pilott.

“SSPA supports registration of social workers both for public safety reasons and because it recognises the value of this profession.”

“There are big implications for the NGO sector, which employs a large number of social workers,” she said.

“The costs of registration are a major concern especially as the current government’s view is that costs should be the subject of contract negotiations between employers and funders. That was stated in a recent letter to SSPA from the Minister for Social Development, Hon Anne Tolley. Our concern is that there will not be additional funding to make such negotiations meaningful,” said Brenda Pilott.

“We are pleased that a select committee will be looking at the Bill, when parliamentary business resumes after the election. There are important issues to consider and we welcome the opportunity to discuss them, with the aim of making the Bill achieve its intended goals.”

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