ANZASW

Competency Service

Competency Assessment Processes

ANZASW provides two pathways to Competency Assessment and Re-certification: a Tauiwi Process which may be followed by any member, and a Tangata Whenua Process which may be followed only by Tangata Whenua members. Either process involves the preparation of a portfolio of evidence that is then presented to an independent assessment panel. Assessment panels are organised by professional assessors located throughout the country and their contact details can be found on the contacts page. Local workshops are provided to explain the competency assessment process and to advise on the preparation of the portfolio. Details of these workshops can be found here. An outline of each process can be found below but full details of the policies and procedures and forms for competency assessment and recertification can be found on the forms page. The costs of competency assessment and recertification can be found here.

Tauiwi Competency Assessment

Assessment Process

The Tauiwi Competency Assessment process includes the following steps:

  1. The applicant may attend a pre-assessment workshop. Assessors hold these workshops regularly. Information about upcoming workshops can be found here.
  2. The applicant compiles an Assessment Portfolio and submits 3 copies of the portfolio to the National Assessor. The Assessment Portfolio must include the following documentation:
    • Assessment Questionnaire
    • References from 3 or 4 referees
    • Example(s) of social work practice that reflect the main aspect of their work.
  3. On receipt of 3 copies of the completed Assessment Portfolio the National Assessor, in liaison with the applicant, arranges:
    • A Competency Assessment Panel, comprised of the National Assessor, a Tangata Whenua member of ANZASW, and one other member of ANZASW
    • A date, time and location for the applicant to meet with the Assessment Panel.
  4. The applicant presents to the Competency Assessment Panel. Applicants are encouraged to bring a support person or group to the meeting with the Competency Assessment Panel. Support people may also be referees for the applicant.
  5. The Competency Assessment Panel issues a Competency Notice which recommends to the Board of Competency that either:
    • The applicant is granted Full Membership, or
    • Further evidence is required for specific practice standards. In this instance, the applicant remains a Provisional Member and is required to re-present to the Competency Assessment Panel within a defined time frame (no longer than 12 months).
  6. The applicant receives a copy of the Competency Notice.
  7. National Office issues a Membership Certificate in accordance with the Board of Competency's decision.

Competency Assessment is based on the ANZASW Standards for Social Work Practice. For applicants whose significant field of practice is supervision, the Supervisor Practice Standards should be evidenced in addition to the Standards for Social Work Practice.

Tangata Whenua Competency Assessment

The Tangata Whenua process includes the following unique aspects to the process:

  1. Case study includes informed consent of the client or client at hui - Tuhituhi
  2. Q 1-6 - Tuhituhi
  3. Q 7-10 - Referees attend, to korero to their attestation (kanohi to kanohi or face to face)

Example of Tangata Whenua Process

A tangata whenua applicant working in a Non Governmental Organisation undergoing the tangata whenua process, submitted his case study and questions 1-6 in writing. He chose to korero to questions 7-10 with support from his referees (whanau tautoko). The client (whaiora) initially supported the case study with an informed consent statement but subsequently chose to attend the hui to support the applicant in person. The presence of all people relevant to the applicant's case study and colleagues provided an affirming environment for the hui process. 

Certificate of Competency

The Certificate of Competency is awarded by ANZASW on the successful completion of competency assessment and is the main basis for Full membership of the Association. The Certificate is additionally recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) as meeting the competency requirement for registration. ANZASW is only able to affirm that you hold a valid competency certificate while you remain a financial member of the Association. Should your membership lapse or you resign from ANZASW, the certificate of competency becomes invalid for purposes of ANZASW membership. Should you wish to rejoin the Association at a later date you would then be required to undertake a full face-to-face competency assessment once again, unless you had completed the requirements to be a registered Social Worker prior to resigning or lapsing your ANZASW membership and you have remained registered.

By retaining membership of ANZASW, the life of a Certificate is preserved for a full five years at which time you would be required to complete your recertification. The cost of recertification is discounted over the preceding years of full membership and is free to those who have maintained continuous membership. Maintaining your membership brings many benefits to social workers including involvement in an organisation which models a Bicultural partnership, networking, affiliation with IFSW, access to regular publications, professional indemnity insurance, opportunities for professional advocacy and continuing professional development.