Liz Beddoe on Social Workers Registration Board

5 November 2003

Media Release

Respected New Zealand social work educator and researcher Liz Beddoe has been appointed to the inaugural Social Workers Registration Board by Hon Steve Maharey. The Minister launched the Social Workers Registration Board in Parliament today.

Liz Beddoe is Dean of Applied Social Sciences at Auckland College of Education, and an authority on the education and professional development of social workers. She worked at the Auckland District Health Board and in private practice before joining the College in 1994.

“I am honoured by the appointment. Registration of social workers is a relatively new phenomenon and I believe we are incredibly fortunate in New Zealand to have a law regulating social workers for their own and their clients’ protection and enhancement of good, accountable, safe practice”, said Ms Beddoe.

“My primary objective on the board will be to promote the wellbeing and effectiveness of the profession, with an emphasis on strong educational programmes that will ensure social work is seen as an excellent career choice making a positive impact on communities.”

Acting Principal of Auckland College of Education, Lexie Grudnoff, said Ms Beddoe would bring a wealth of experience to the new board from her 25-year involvement in social work, her published research on development of professional social work practice and her national profile through the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW).

Ms Beddoe is a past vice-president and member of the national executive of the ANZASW. She was awarded Association life membership in 1990. In her professional capacity she has provided external peer review services to government agencies and tertiary education providers and was editor of Social Work Review for ten years until 1994. She is currently enrolled in a PhD programme at Flinders University, South Australia, on the topic of continuing professional education of New Zealand social workers.

ENDS

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