Review of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work
(Applied)
College of Arts
University of Canterbury
October 14 - 15 2013
Table of Contents
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 3
Background
Terms of Reference and Review Process
Acknowledgements
Appendix I – Terms of Reference .............................................................................. 12
Appendix II – Programme Review Agenda ............................................................... 13
Appendix III – List of Commendations and Recommendations................................ 14
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Introduction
Background
The Department of Human Services & Social Work offers a wide and inclusive range of
courses and qualification that prepare graduates for a diverse range of careers within the
human services. Of these qualifications, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and the Master
of Social Work (MSW)(Applied) are recognised professional degrees. The degrees combine
academic study with clinical practice to the level of a professional qualification and are
“Recognised” by the Social Work Registration Board (SWRB). At the time of the review, the
MSW (Applied) had not been offered in the preceding two years; however it was scheduled
to recommence in 2014. The BSW has been offered continuously since 1998.
The review was conducted by a six person review panel:
Associate Professor Catherine Moran (Co-Chair), University of Canterbury
Dr. Jan Duke (Co-Chair), Social Work Registration Board
Dr. Kieran O’Donoghue, Massey University
Associate Professor Lou Harms, University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Lynne-Harata Te Aika, University of Canterbury
Terms of reference and the review process
The review was conducted in accordance with terms of reference defined by the UC
Academic Reviews Policy and Guidelines.
At a broad level the review panel were required:
1. To assess whether the quality of the BSW and the MSW (Applied) programmes
meet academic standards nationally and internationally;
2. To make commendations for areas of good practice; and,
3. To make recommendations for improving the Programme.
The panel visit occurred on 14-15 October, 2013. The University’s review of the Social Work
degrees was held alongside the ‘Recognition’ Review by the Social Workers’ Registration
Board. Most of the Review hearings were chaired by Dr. Jan Duke of the Social Workers’
Registration Board. The final session was chaired by Associate-Professor Catherine Moran.
The Department of Human Services and Social Work provided the Panel with extensive
written documentation
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A substantial Self-Review Report;
Course outlines for the Bachelor of Social Work and the Master of Social Work
(Applied);
Curricula vitae for staff;
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The processes for Limited Entry to the third and fourth years of the Bachelor of
Social Work;
Documents from the University Policy Library;
The Social Workers’ Registration Board policy documentation;
UC Policy Documents
College of Arts Change and Renewal: A Proposal for Strategic Development nad
Financial Sustainability 2013
Quality Assurance Documents
In addition to the prepared papers, the panel met with, and received both oral and written
submissions from a number of sources:
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The Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr Jonathan Le Cocq;
The Associate-Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, Alison Holcroft;
UC Staff
Current students
Graduates
UCSA Representative,
Fieldwork supervisors
Board of Studies Representatives
Acknowledgements
The Panel would like to thank all of the staff and students who participated in the review
process. The Panel would like to particularly thank Stuart Broughton who collected
documentation and took care of the logistics and the organization of the process. The Panel
would also like to thank Aotahi for hosting.
Executive Summary
The Panel agreed that the Bachelor of Social Work and the Master of Social Work (Applied)
were high quality degrees that met national and international standards of practice; that
both degrees produced graduates who had the core social work competencies required by
the Social Workers’ Registration Board; and that both the Bachelor of Social Work and the
Master of Social Work (Applied) continued to meet the expected standards in governance,
curriculum (including research-teaching nexus), student-centeredness, professional and
stakeholder collaboration, resources and quality assurance. The Social Workers’
Registration Board recommended that their recognition of the BSW and the MSW (Applied)
be extended for a further five years until 31 December 2018 with a mid-cycle review in
2015.
As expected, there were a number of areas identified that were particularly outstanding and
other areas that could be addressed to enhance the BSW and MSW (Applied) in its current
form. The remainder of the report outlines the Panel’s commendations, recommendations
and notes some areas of concern.
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Commendations
The Panel was impressed with the quality of the Social Work students, the commitment
staff and the overall support shown for the Programme. In particular the Panel noted:
Governance
1. The strong commitment to the development, enhancement, and understanding of social
work education by the Head of School;
2. Strong, committed, resilient staff.
Curriculum
3. The integration of Te Reo and Maori studies into the programme;
4. Strong social work values instilled and good transferrable skills noted by students.
Research-teaching nexus
5. Contributions to the research literature nationally and internationally;
6. Grouping of research students in the Te Awatea Violence research Centre and the success
at attracting funding.
Student-centeredness
7. Field educators report that students come to placement with a learning attitude;
8. The care taken in making arrangements for students transitioning into the Bachelor of
Social Work from other social work programmes.
Professional and Stakeholder Relationships
9. Support from the social service sector for both the Programme and the Department’s
staff and students.
Resourcing
10. Strong commitment on resourcing from the University Library;
11. Strong support for innovative learning practices (e.g. distance learning, blended
learning).
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Recommendations
Recommendation 1: That the workload model and Student Staff Ratio for social work be
modified to take into account the realities of the requirements of a limited entry
professional programme with a substantial fieldwork component.
The members of the Panel read the Change and Renewal Proposal for the College of Arts
and acknowledge the support for the Social Work Programme. However it was noted that
he University-wide workload model and Student Staff Ratio did not take account of the
realities of implementing a professional programme with a substantial practical fieldwork
component. There are a number of resourcing issues that will need to be addressed by the
School and College. These relate to fieldwork supervision, development of distance learning
resources for the MSW (A) and income from higher degree completions.
Recommendation 2: That the membership of the Board of Studies be expanded to include
representatives from CYFS, the DHB, Social Service Providers Association and a
consumer/client representation. One of these representatives could meet the requirement
for a member who is also a fieldwork educator.
The current membership of the Board of Studies is primarily made up of UC staff and
students with the addition of a representative from te Runanga ki Otautahi o Ngai Tahu, the
Chair of the Social Work Registration Board and the president of Aoteara New Zealand.
Representation from a broader group of stakeholders allows for better representation;
however given the size of the Board of Studies, one member may hold dual roles.
Recommendation 3: That the Review of the Department of Social Work and Human Services
be carried out in 2017 and not in 2016 as proposed in the Change and Renewal document.
Given the changes that are occurring in the sector nationally, along with re-development of
the MSW (Applied) to allow it to be delivered in a blended learning, the Panel felt that the
review in 2016 would be premature.
Recommendation 4: That consideration be given to spreading the placements across Years
3 and 4 rather than both placements occurring in Year 4.
Graduates of the programme commended the practical work and acknowledged the learning
that occurred in the Fieldwork. The graduates did note that commencing practical work
earlier in the degree would enhance learning and integration. There are a number of factors
to consider; however the panel felt it would be worth reviewing the learning outcomes of
the fieldwork in view of considering moving the placements across two years.
Recommendation 5: That the social policy courses be reviewed so that more information on
the realities of how policy impacts on NGO realities is included.
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Recommendation 6: That the Social Workers’ Registration Board Code of Conduct and
relevant policies be provided to students in both the Bachelor of Social Work and the
Master of Social Work (Applied) at the beginning of each year.
In order to introduce the students to the professional practice and matters of professional
behaviour, it was recommended all students be presented with the relevant policies
annually.
Recommendation 7: That an Honours stream in the Master of Social Work (Applied) be
considered once the programme is fully re-established.
Recommendation 8: That there be a targeted orientation for social work students at the
beginning of their first year, that introduces them to practice and the profession; and that
the requirements for limited entry, including police vetting are provided to them in writing.
This would ensure all students receive key information at the same time and prior to
commencing the programme. Students also noted that it would provide a sense of
cohesiveness.
Recommendation 9: That the process for limited entry selection begin in the middle of the
second year of the Bachelor of Social Work.
The current process for limited entry selection begins toward the end of the second year of
the Bachelor of Social Work. In 2013, applications were due 30 September 2013 followed by
interviews, reference and police checks. By commencing the process earlier, a number of
stages can be completed by the time grades are released and offers can be made earlier to
students.
Recommendation 10: That consideration be given to a time limit for the completion of the
Bachelor of Social Work.
One area of concern that was pointed out to the panel was that there is no current time
limit for completion of the BSW. The MSW (App) has a six-year time limit; however there is
no current limit on the BSW. It is not unusual for professional programmes to have a time
limit in order to ensure that graduates from programmes that have met current review
standards.
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Recommendation 11: That the course SOWK 303 Mental Health be renamed Mental Health
and Social Work Practice and that the content of the course be revised to ensure that the
stated learning outcomes are met.
The Panel’s concerns were raised by the SOWK 303 lecture outline. This consisted mainly of
a list of disorders and did not appear to match the published learning outcomes. Learning
outcomes for this course do include knowledge about major areas of mental disorder,
including knowledge of diagnostic criteria. However they also include awareness of the
reciprocal impacts of mental health disorders on the individual, family and society;
awareness of the impact of inequality, oppression and stigma on mental health and illness;
knowledge about the relevance and applicability of mental health knowledge to social work
practice; knowledge about local and culturally appropriate mental health practices,
protocols and expectations; an understanding of the potential impact of trauma work on the
mental health of the worker and how this may be modulated. While social work students
reported that the course provided many good examples of social work practice with mental
health clients, we would recommend that this course be revised to ensure that the learning
outcomes are met.
Recommendation 12: That the staff member responsible for SOWK 303 Mental Health be a
registered social worker.
The Social Workers’ Registration Board requires that staff teaching in core social work
theory, skills and practice components of the degree must be fully registered social workers.
SOWK 303 is one such paper. This recommendation was a requirement of the Social Work
Re-recognition of the programme.
Recommendation 13: That IELTS requirements for international students be specified in the
regulations for the Master of Social Work (Applied) in line with the requirements of the
Social Workers’ Registration Board.
The Social Workers’ Registration Board requires IELTS scores of 6.5 in all academic bands. At
the time of the review a proposal was submitted to change the regulations for the BSW. The
same regulation should apply to the MSW (Applied).
Recommendation 14: That the College of Arts should develop a targeted marketing plan for
the Master of Social Work (Applied), with particular attention to the regional areas of the
South Island.
The MSW (Applied) has – appropriately – a focus on the South Island. Given the
redevelopment of this degree to enable it to be delivered in a blended learning format, a
targeted marketing plan should be developed, with particular attention to the West Coast,
Nelson and Invercargill regions.
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Further Areas of Concern
The Panel also noted that Department staff have had several relocations and are facing
further relocations as part of the University’s remediation of its building stock. These
disruptions all carry a cost in terms of workload and staff ability to be available to students.
Any suggestions here about what we could do? Like free chocolate fish on Fridays?
Community Development: The Panel noted that the previous emphasis on community
development within the Programme has been reduced – in spite of the fact that the
Programme is producing social workers for a region that now has a particular need for
community development. The Panel acknowledges that the staff is aware of this need and
is working on a community development focus in courses throughout the Programme.
Underlying Philosophy: It was noted in the 2007 Review that there was no clearly
articulated and documented underlying philosophy to the Social Work Programmes. The
Panel suggests that the Social Work staff address this.
SOWK 310 Research Methods in Social Work: Students also commented that they found
the research course difficult due to its disorganization and the late return of assessments.
We advise staff to discuss this issue.
Cultural Competency: The panel received mixed messages from students and graduates
about their confidence working with different ethnicities and cultural groups, and working
with asylum seekers and refugees. Some felt well prepared others did not. We advise staff
to keep a watching brief here, particularly given the changing face of the Christchurch
population.
Local and International Marketing of the Programme
Social work is a very mobile profession and internationalisation of the programme could
become a focus for future marketing. The Panel suggests that the University should notify
the Ministry of Social Development that the Master of Social Work (Applied) will be
available for students on NGO scholarships in 2014.
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