Natural disasters: A message from the National President

A lot of work and effort comes from social workers in these times of disaster in their various roles and often when they are impacted personally as well.  My message to all social workers and their families dealing with floods in the NT and  far north Queensland, the fires in Tasmania and Victoria and those dealing with the drought in New South Wales and western Queensland is that the AASW supports you.

North Queensland

Townsville was declared a disaster zone earlier in the week, and the rains continue to fall. We are keeping in touch with the AASW North Queensland Branch and staying abreast of the situation. We urge all social workers, their coworkers and families to stay safe.

Visit Community Recovery or download the Self Recovery app for information or to apply for grants, including Emergency Hardship Grants.

You can also ring the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 to apply for grants and for advice on how to access to support services over the phone.

Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website and the Queensland Government’s Disaster Management website.

Tasmania

We have been in touch with the AASW Tasmanian Branch regarding the bushfires in Tasmania. There has been some rain, but fires are still burning in some parts of the state. We urge all social workers, their coworkers and families to stay safe. Grants and other assistance is available at tasalert.com or by calling the Tasmanian Emergency Information Service on 1800 567 567.

AASW National President Christine Craik

	Message from the CEO

As the new year gets underway, I would like to provide you with an update on some AASW activities.  In 2018, the Association undertook to review all National Board Committees, including the College.  In June 2018, National President Christine Craik informed members a review of the College was to be undertaken.

The framework for the scope of the College review has commenced and it’s planned that the review will start early in 2019.  Since the College review was first flagged with members, the Board has been considering a Social Work Career Trajectory framework which would support the career life-cycle of social workers from student to new graduate, through to experienced professionals and mentors.  The development of a detailed plan to undertake this work has also commenced. Part of the planning will be to identify how we will effectively engage the College in the process. This important work supports a key objective of the Association’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021, to Build the Professional Capacity of Members.

We will keep College members informed as we progress through each stage of the review as well as continue to provide updates to all members on the development of a Social Work Career Trajectory framework.

AASW CEO Cindy Smith

	World Social Work Day 2019 "Promoting the Importance of Human Relationships"

World Social Work Day is celebrated each year on the third Tuesday of each March. This year, it falls on Tuesday, 19 March 2019. World Social Work Day is when we celebrate and recognise social workers as champions for social justice, self-determination and human rights.

This year's theme is Promoting the Importance of Human Relationships.

This year, we want the hashtag #WSWD19 to trend on Twitter in Australia on 19 March 2019. This means that it must be in the top ten most used hashtags on the day. Get involved in the campaign on the day by tweeting a positive social work story and photo which captures the theme of 'human relationships'. Use the hashtag #WSWD19 and mention us @AASW_

Register for AASW World Social Work Day events, download our resources and more on our World Social Work Day webpage.

	Australian Honours 2019

The Association congratulates the following social workers in receiving Australian honours in the General Division as Members of the Order of Australia (AM):

• Peter Ernest Bicknell (South Australia) - For significant service to social welfare, and to the community of South Australia.
• William Paul Healy (Victoria) - For significant service to the community, particularly in the area of forensic mental health, and to education.
• Moira Therese Were (South Australia) - For significant service to the community of South Australia through a range of roles, and to social welfare.

	"Conversion therapy" to be banned in Victoria - AASW statement

The AASW has released a statement to the media, welcoming Victoria’s announcement of a ban on so-called gay conversion therapy. Reports of this therapy have become more common in the last year or so, and the AASW has been monitoring the situation closely. The media release describes the AASW’s multiple concerns with the so-called 'therapy', especially the negative message it sends to young people dealing with the stress and anxiety of the social pressures that are associated with same-sex attraction in an unaccepting environment.

	Free workshops - Countering Violent Extremism

We are hosting free continuing professional development workshops for social work, mental health and welfare professionals on Building Resilience & Preventing Radicalisation to Violent Extremism - An Awareness Raising Workshop.

Priority will be given to AASW members. These workshops still have places available:

• Toowoomba - Friday, 1 March 12.30pm-5.00pm
• Cairns - Wednesday, 1 March 9.00am-1.30pm
• Darwin - Wednesday, 13 March 3.00pm-7.30pm
• Darwin - Thursday, 14 March 9.00am-1.30pm
• Geraldton - Wednesday, 13 March 12.00pm-4.30pm
• Albany - Thursday, 14 March 11.30am-4.00pm

	Social work registration update

The AASW presented to the Joint House Committee of the South Australian Parliament on the proposed Social Workers Registration Bill 2018 on 30 January 2019.

The AASW was represented by AASW CEO Cindy Smith, AASW Board member Anita Phillips, who has campaigned for Registration of social workers for many years, AASW South Australian Branch President Patricia Muncey and AASW Manager of Social Policy and Advocacy Debra Parnell. 

Anita Phillips was interviewed on ABC radio about the Bill and the proposal for Registration.

The Joint Committee is consulting with stakeholders in relation to the proposed regulatory framework and its implementation over the coming months. We will provide further updates as they become available.

	AASW Submissions and Inquiries

AASW’s recent submissions include:

• Effectiveness of current temporary skilled visa system
• Effectiveness of the Aged Care Quality and Accreditation Framework
• SA Social Worker Registration Bill 2018
• Federal Pre-Budget Submission

Visit the social policy webpage to read the AASW submissions.

	Productivity Commission inquiry into the economic impacts of mental ill-health

The Productivity Commission has released an Issues Paper. Initial submissions are due by 5 April 2019.

Consultations

AASW will be holding consultations with members for its submissions to both the Productivity Commission Inquiry and the Victorian Royal Commission. If you work in a mental health service, or with people experiencing mental ill-health in other settings, and are interested in being involved in this process, please contact us at social.policy@aasw.asn.au.

Read more on AASW actions on mental health

	Everyone’s Business: The National Workplace Sexual Harassment Inquiry

The AASW would like to make a submission to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces, representing the experiences and insights of members.

The closing date for submissions has been extended to the end of February.

If you wish to provide information about your experiences, or you would like to contribute your insights, please email social.policy@aasw.asn.au. If you would like one of the team to contact you, please leave details of the best way to do this. We will ensure confidentiality.

Read more about AASW actions on the Inquiry

	Working with Primary Health Networks - CPD available

Are you in private practice as a sole trader or a small business owner interested in delivering services on behalf of Primary Health Networks? .

The AASW worked in collaboration with the Australian Psychological Society, Occupational Therapy Australia, and the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses to develop online training modules and webinars.

In addition, the first webinar was held on Thursday, 29 November 2018 and is available for your viewing as a podcast.

Two more webinars will be held in 2019 and your suggestions about suitable topics are welcome.

If you have any queries about the training or the webinars please contact
angela.scarfe@aasw.asn.au.

Read more about working with PHNs

	Social Work Focus - Refugees and Asylum Seekers

The latest edition of Social Work Focus, your membership magazine, is out now. The theme is Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

Log in to the member portal to read it.

We are seeking contributions and a review panel for our Autumn edition - Family Support and Family Violence - deadline is 11 March 2019.

If you would like to be on the review panel, please email editor@aasw.asn.au with a short note which edition you'd like to review and a CV. 

	Australian Social Work - new article

The Australian Social Work journal has published a new article A Life Worth Living: The Ethical Base for Social Work Education and Practice. 

Did you know that you can subscribe to alerts, letting you know when new content becomes available in the Journal, including when new editions come out? This is a great way to receive the Journal, as an alternative or in addition to, the print copy.