Community Connect
Welcome to the seventh edition of Family and Community Services' e-newsletter.
ISSUE 7 • JULY 2009
E-news from Family and Community Services
Study Awards Continue to Support NGO Social Workers
The NGO Social Work Study Awards continues to support social workers in the community sector with applications now open for the 2010 awards programme. They close on Friday 16 October 2009.
The programme is its fourth year of operation and has supported 355 social work students to work towards a social work qualification with 106 graduates now with a recognised qualification.
The study awards provides assistance with course fees, and allows the student to take time off work to study by covering the NGO employers study-related expenses, such as backfilling the employees position while they are studying and when on their three month external placement.
The awards are administered by Family and Community Services, a service line of the Ministry of Social Development.
Derek Howell, Business Services Manager at Family and Community Services, says that the awards have made it possible for people working in the community sector to improve their level of professional knowledge and their social work practice, and to bring it back to the communities they work in. The long-term aim of the awards is to achieve positive outcomes for children, young people and their whānau.
"We have received very positive feedback from students and employers alike," he said.
"Through the 2008 mid-year review process, almost without exception, employers have expressed their overwhelming appreciation for the study awards, emphasising that without this level of support staff would not be able to achieve their qualification goal."
Derek quotes one student who said to him: ‘'I feel very fortunate to have received this opportunity while maintaining the ability to learn from my work colleagues, manager and peers. I hope to continue my study achievements under this umbrella of financial and resourceful support to enable me to do the same in return once I am a fully qualified Social Worker''.
A series of Pre-Applications workshops will be held in centres throughout New Zealand in September and October to more fully explain the Awards and answer any questions potential applicants may have.
