The primary aim of the Bachelor of Applied Social Work is to provide both Te Tai Tokerau and Aotearoa New Zealand with competent beginning social work practitioners who: - Meet the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) Graduate Attributes and Core Competence Standards and are therefore eligible for provisional registration. - Are critically informed, reflective practitioners who demonstrate transformative and ethical social work practice. - Actively advocate for structural changes which support marginalised, dispossessed and vulnerable individuals, groups and communities. - Are committed to lifelong learning through ongoing professional development.

Graduate Profile Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Social Work will be able to: - Demonstrate the ability to work in a bi-cultural context and acknowledge and the centrality of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to social work as a profession and in practice - Apply anti- oppressive social work values, knowledge and skills to complex situations to stimulate personal and social change in a range of work and social contexts - Have the ability to work with individuals, families or whanau, communities and groups from diverse ethnic, cultural and indigenous backgrounds - Demonstrate resilience and the ability to manage interpersonal conflict and challenges that arise in the context of social work practice - Demonstrate knowledge of the origins, purpose and development of Aotearoa New Zealand social work within a global context - Demonstrate professional literacy and numeracy, critically evaluate scholarship, critique and apply diverse knowledge and research to social work practice - Demonstrate an ability to think critically, and effectively analyse, synthesise and apply information - Demonstrate the ability to work autonomously and make independent judgment from a well-informed social work position - Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others in multi-disciplinary teams, organisations and communities - Demonstrate a critical reflective approach to individual social work practice through supervision, peer review and self-evaluation - Demonstrate an ability to recognise own learning needs and participates in continuing professional development - Demonstrate an ability to effectively utilise ongoing professional supervision and a commitment to continuing professional development - Demonstrate understanding of, and ability to, integrate sustainability and contemporary social, political, psychological, economic, legal, environmental, cultural and indigenous issues within Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally into both social work as a profession and practice - Demonstrate an awareness of the level of skills, knowledge, information, attributes and abilities of a new social work graduate Educational Outcomes Northland Polytechnic is committed to assuring that our students can articulate into related graduate and post graduate programmes offered by other tertiary institutions in New Zealand. Graduates of this programme may be prepared to undertake postgraduate study offered by a number of tertiary education providers Employment Outcomes Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Social Work will be competent to apply for employment in the following Fields of Practice: - Community development organisations and trusts - Corrections facilities including probation - Environmental action organisations - Faith based organisations - Family Court and Justice related organisations - Ministry of Social Development and other government departments - Health related organisation including health promotions - Iwi / Maori agencies - Local authorities - Not-for-Profit organisations and NGOs - Primary health care organisations - Public and Private Hospitals and District Health Boards - Schools Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Social Work will be competent to apply for employment in the following Professional Roles: - Social workers - Community support workers - Whanau ora workers - Community advocates - Health workers - Drug and alcohol social workers - Mental Health social workers and advocates - Housing support workers - Maori communities Kaiawhina - Community Advisors - Family support workers

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Educational Criteria Completed NCEA level 3 with University Entrance including at least - 14 credits in an English language rich subject, e.g. English, history, art history, classics, geography, economics Alternative Educational Criteria - Minimum of 'B' passes in a relevant Level 4 Bridging Programme Or - Evidence of recent successful study in other relevant courses at tertiary level Or - Documented verifiable evidence of relevant work life experience (usually the equivalent of two year's full time) that indicates the ability to meet the requirements of this degree. Such evidence would normally include details of roles/responsibilities undertaken, interpersonal skills, other achievements and referee statements. Admission under this provision requires an interview with and approval from the Programme Leader. English Language Requirements If English or Maori is not the applicant's first language, or if the applicant did not undertake their secondary schooling in English, candidates will need to have passed an English language proficiency test with an Academic IELTS score of at least 6.5 in all bands.