NGO Social Work Study Awards
The NGO Social Work Study Awards are aimed at building the capability of people working in community-based social services. Up to 85 awards are offered every year to assist employees of non-government organisations to undertake part time study for a degree level qualification in social work to enable them to get registered. The awards support employees of non-government organisations (NGOs) who have previously studied, or who are already studying, and who want to complete a social work qualification that meets the educational requirements for social work registration. These awards are funded and administered by Family and Community Services (FACS), a service of the Ministry of Social Development.
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2012 Study Awards Applications now close 14 October 2011
The closing date for the 2012 application round has now been extended and the last day that applications must be postmarked is Friday 14 October 2011. Please disregard any other date you may have read.
Also note that the Consent to Police Vetting form in the on-line version of the application (Attachment one) has lost its signature and date panels.
These forms can still be used if the students sign and date these forms. We will be posting an amended form as soon as possible.
Programme success rate
To date, 499 study awards have been made over the six years these awards have been available. Of these, 478 students commenced study and accessed funding through this award – 198 of these students have now graduated with a recognised qualification in social work; 193 remain active within the programme (ie yet to qualify); and 87 have withdrawn before qualifying, most often because the student has moved to “non-qualifying” employment.
This means that, as a minimum, 82% of the students who enter this programme exit with a qualification. Of the 18% who exit early, many carry on with, and successfully complete, their study; therefore the actual success rate through the programme is likely to be higher than 82%.
By way of comparison, based on reports published by the Ministry of Education. the overall completion rate in New Zealand for Level 7 (Bachelor) qualifications is 59 % - for those studying part-time the completion rate reduces to 47% The overall completion rate for degrees in “Society and Culture” is 65.2%.
All-in-all, this data suggests that the probability of a student who has the additional support of the NGO Social Work Study Award programme, including the active support of their employer, is probably 25% and perhaps as high as 75% more likely to successfully complete a social work qualification at bachelor level (Level 7) than for the “average” student studying social work in New Zealand. This will clearly vary for each student based on their abilities, the programme and the education provider, and a range of other factors.
2012 application round
The 2012 applications round is now open. The deadline for application is Friday 14 October 2011.
Social workers employed by non-government organisations (NGOs) are able to apply. They will need to be:
- Employed by a community organisation that is an incorporated society, or that has charitable status.
- Paid employees of NGO's and enrolled in or intending to enrol in a social work course that is recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB).
About the Awards
Each study award has a maximum possible value of $33,244.
- Students can receive help with their course fees of up to $3,500 per year and up to $10,500 in total over the duration of the award.
- Employers can receive a contribution to help support their student in study of up to $4,600 per year and up to $13,800 over the duration of the award. This can be used to help with a range of study-related expenses, including backfilling the employee's position while they are studying.
- Employers can also receive a contribution to help with the cost of backfilling their employee while they are on their final three month external placement of up to $8,944.45.
The Information for Applicants booklet for applicants (below) has been extensively updated and it replaces all previous versions.
Who can apply
The application is a joint process between an NGO employee and their employer.
To be eligible:
- NGOs are likely to be community organisations that have become incorporated societies, or that have a charitable status.
- Employees need to be a paid employee of an NGO who is enrolled in or intending to enroll in a social work course of study that is recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB).
- As a part of the application process the employee will need to show that they are a 'fit and proper person' and 'of good character and reputation', as set out in the Social Workers Registrations Act 2003.
Preference will be given to employees who are employed on a full time basis (a minimum of 20 hours per week), and who have previously studied or who are currently studying at a tertiary level. Applicants who do not fully meet these criteria are still eligible to apply and will be considered on their merits alongside other applicants.
These awards are not available to support study where the applicant already meets the educational requirements for social worker registration, or is already a fully registered social worker.
Social Work Qualifications
Only those social work qualifications recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) are able to be supported.
The qualifications that are recognised by the SWRB are level 7 (degree) qualifications in social work but also include some level 8 (post-graduate) social work qualifications. The SWRB (swrb.govt.nz) website provides a list of recognised qualifications - please refer to this website prior to completing your application to ensure that your intended qualification is recognised by the SWRB.
Please note that Level 6 (diploma) social work qualifications are no longer recognised by the SWRB. Students who have a study pathway that includes some study through a diploma programme will need to transition from a diploma to a degree programme in order to graduate with a recognised qualification. Students in this situation are strongly encouraged to consult with their education providers to fully understand how this transition works for them and to identify if there are any potential issues in this process.
If you have any questions about your proposed study pathway you are strongly encouraged to discuss these with your Education Providers and / or the SWRB.
Note: For more information about recognised courses, visit the Social Workers Registration Board website.
Selection process
All applications will be considered on a national basis on their individual merits. Selection will be based on the completed standard application form and any supporting documentation provided. Through the selection criteria weighting will be given to:
- organisations with government contracts for services which are delivering early intervention or preventative social work services to vulnerable children and families;
- employees who have previously studied and / or who are currently studying at a tertiary level;
- employees who are employed on a full time basis (a minimum of 20 hours per week).
Successful applicants (employers and employees) will be offered an Agreement to sign - this outlines the expectations and obligations of each party to these study awards.
Pre-application workshops
In support of the 2012 application round, a series of pre-application workshops / hui will be held in September 2011. These workshops / hui will explain more fully the information available contained in the Applicant's Booklet, and on our website. These workshops / hui also provide an opportunity to have any questions answered.
All interested students and employers are invited to attend a workshop near them – it is not necessary to register to attend – all attendees are welcome.
If there are a significant number of potential attendees in a location that is a reasonable distance from the closest workshop please call free phone 0508 346 376 to discuss if an additional workshop can be arranged.
Making an application
Application is a joint process between an NGO employee and their employer. There is a standard application form to complete and it is recommended that employees and their employers complete the application together. Complete and well-presented information is likely to assist in the selection process.
Information booklets and application forms will be available from:
- this website
- Family and Community Services regional offices
- from individual Schools of Social Work (i.e. Universities, Polytechnics, Wananga, etc)
- through attending one of the Pre-application Workshops (see above)
- by calling free phone 0508 346 376.
Application forms
These application forms below are slightly modified from previous versions. Whilst these new copies are available in both electronic and paper versions, FACS will still accept applications on earlier versions of this application form.
Study expectations
These study awards are intended for full-time employees who are studying part-time.
As a guide, Family and Community Services recommends that students undertake a study load that is loosely based on 50% of the normal full-time study load for their course and their mode of study. For most students who are attending universities or polytechnicsm, this is about 60 credits / units per year.
Where students are enrolled in a programme of study that is significantly different to this approach, Family and Community Services will need additional information to assist in evaluating the application.
Changing education provider or study programme
In some instances, for a variety of reasons, students may want to change from one education provider to another. However, students need to be aware that problems have been encountered when students seek to transfer from one education provider to another after their study has commenced. In some instances, when moving to their new education provider the student may lose up to 120 credits of the credits gained at their original education provider.
Mid-year employer review
The primary purpose of this review is to help students, managers and FACS to assess progress and identify potential areas of need and support early in the academic year, so that these can be responded to and resolved. It is suggested that the manager responsible for an NGO student undertakes this review in discussion with the student - in this way any matters that are identified can be responded to immediately.
These reviews are normally emailed to the manager of each student, to be completed and returned to FACS by 30 June each year, for each student. The 2011 review form is provided below for your information.
Current or returning NGO Social Work Study Award holders
Existing NGO Social Work Study Award holders (i.e. those selected between 2005 and 2011) who are wishing to continue to access funding for the 2012 academic year are reminded of the need to provide FACS with a copy of their academic results for the 2011 academic year.
These results will be evaluated as detailed in the "Review of Academic Results" process (see below), and students will be advised of the outcome of this process by early February 2012.
Additionally, returning students are reminded of the need to complete and return their Planned Programme of Study form with their academic results.
