The National Diploma in Iwi/Maori Social Services (Level 6) [Ref: 0667] leads on from the National Certificate in Iwi/Maori Social Services (Level 4) [Ref: 0666] or the National Certificate in Social Services (Level 4) [Ref: 0250].

This qualification is designed as a basic professional qualification. It provides recognition of the level of competence, knowledge, and skills required by those seeking employment or already working as Iwi/Maori social service workers within whanau, hapu, and iwi social services; marae based social services; and Maori social services.

People awarded this national diploma are able to work in those settings under professional supervision, with a considerable degree of autonomy and accountability for achieving outcomes as a professional social worker within Iwi/Maori social services. They are able to work within a framework for practice informed by knowledge and skills in the application and implementation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the social services. They practice within ethical and legislative boundaries, and demonstrate an integrated practice theory for working in Iwi/Maori social services.

This qualification includes standards designed specifically for work within Iwi/Maori social services, as well as standards from other domains. The latter standards have been included because they are essential competencies for Iwi/Maori social services work, but they are also generic competencies across social services work. Many of those standards are included in other Social Services qualifications, and can be used for credit towards those qualifications. The compulsory section covers all competencies for a basic professional qualification in Iwi/Maori social services work. The elective section enables people to select standards that can contextualise their qualification to the kind of work they undertake within Iwi/Maori social service work. They may be engaged solely in direct service delivery to whanau, hapu, and/or iwi, but their job role may also include staff supervision, management, or wider community work.

This qualification does not lead on to any other specific qualification, but people may wish to work towards attainment of other diplomas in the social services industry, such as the National Diploma in Community Work (Level 6) [Ref: 0987]; the National Diploma in Counselling (Level 6) [Ref: 0988]; the National Diploma in Social Work (Level 6) [Ref: 0989]; or the National Diploma in Youth Work (Level 6) [Ref: 0670]; or gain entry into other higher level qualifications on the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications such as a degree in social work.