AASW - Australian Association of Social Workers

The AASW supports the joint statement on income management issued today (Dec 22) by ACOSS. The AASW is concerned that the Federal Government’s plans to roll out income management across the country will stigmatise low income households and have unintended punitive consequences for vulnerable children and families. Social workers warmly welcome the re-instatement of the Racial Discrimination Act in the Northern Territory, but are concerned there is no evidence to warrant an extension of income management.

The AASW supports the proposed amendment to S26(2) of the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 to amend the reporting requirements for sexual activity in juveniles and to extend the reporting obligations to include social workers and other professional groups working with young people.

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The AASW Board recently discussed and approved a draft model for the operation of ‘Colleges of Practice’ within the AASW. Colleges of Practice will enable experienced and highly skilled social workers to gain a credential above AASW membership and CPE accreditation. This change is part of the Constitutional amendments approved by members in 2007.*

Colleges of Practice are designed to demonstrate the highest professional standards that social workers offer, and thus promote excellence and expertise among social workers to our clients, employers, Governments and the Australian community.

Colleges of Practice are part of the strategy to improve the external profile and standing of the profession. Enabling highly skilled social workers to claim ‘fellowship’ of a College of Practice will assist in showing the expertise that social workers offer.

Entry to a College of Practice will be determined by a rigorous and transparent process, supported by professional staff employed by the AASW. The Education and Accreditation standards identify core skills, knowledge and values for beginning practitioners, and the development of Colleges of Practice will identify the skills required to be an expert partitioner.
The draft model is intended to provide members with more information about the proposals. Your feedback is welcome by COB on 11 March 2010.

*‘Boards of Practice’ were approved by members in the constitutional changes. Subsequent consultations have seen the language refined to Colleges of Practice.

Click here to view the College of Practice Draft Model

The Victorian Branch responded to the Inquiry into the Adequacy and Future Directions of Public Housing in Victoria. You can read the submission here.

After almost 10 years the Company (National) Office has relocated to the city centre in Canberra. The new street address is Level 4, 33-35 Ainslie Avenue, Canberra City. The postal address will remain the same.

The 1800 number for members remains the same. There are new direct lines for staff in Canberra, see contacts for more information.

The ACT Branch of the AASW requires a self motivated, innovative and well organised person to undertake the position of Branch Coordinator for 10 hours per week, commencing ASAP. Applications close 26 February 2010.

We are keen to hear members' views on  how we can improve participation in AASW elections. Members are asked to complete a short survey. Thank you to the many members who have already completed the survey in the Summer edition of The National Bulletin.

If you haven't had a chance to complete the survey yet, you can now do it online. It should take you around 5 minutes to complete.

CLICK HERE to start the survey.

If you have already returned the survey to us from The National Bulletin, there is no need to do it online again.

Results will be published in The National Bulletin we will take them into account in planning the elections later in 2010.

World Social Work Day is on 16 March this year. Find out more about the events planned around the country. 

Limited numbers of this poster are available to members free of charge, but you'll need to e-mail Robyn to request one right now before they are all gone.