National day for Social Workers

Wednesday, 26 September 2007, 9:31 am
Press Release: Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers

National day for Social Workers

Social Workers throughout Aotearoa New Zealand can take some extra pride in their profession today (Wednesday 26 September) as they mark the fourth National Social Workers Day.

"This is a day that is all about building professional pride and professional identity," says Rose Henderson, President, of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW).

"Social Workers are in demand as demonstrated by the Department of Labour's Job Vacancy Monitor report in August, which registered a 25% increase in their monthly sample of job advertisements for Social Workers.

" However the profile of Social Workers and public understanding of the importance and diversity of Social Work is lower than we would like, which was a key reason for initiating Social Workers Day in 2004. We are sometimes disappointed by a lack of appreciation of the contribution made by good social work in a range of fields of practice to New Zealand society but realise that raising our professional profile will take time.

"This year we are proud to be launching the ANZASW's new website at www.anzasw.org.nz This is another helpful step in our ongoing work to strengthen our professional identity and make information about social work more widely available. We also congratulate employers who are supporting their Social Work staff with special events on National Social Workers Day (held on the fourth Wednesday of September), such as the professional development day being held by Canterbury District Health Board.

"A concern that much of the work done by Social Workers lacks visibility is not unique to New Zealand and it is an issue that is being focused on by professional associations around the world," says Rose Henderson. "For instance a Global Social Work Day was held for the first time by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) this year in 84 countries under the theme of 'Social Work: Making a World of Difference'.

"In Europe the emphasis was placed on promoting a higher sense of worth and professionalism within the individual social worker and a raised sense of community among social workers. This highlighted the fact that social workers not only require compassion and dedication but also intellectual and analytical skills and personal commitment. These are demanding qualities in special people.

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