Developing the Social Work Career Trajectory Framework

The AASW understands that members want to progress and develop expertise over their career, and the importance of providing current and innovative development and engagement opportunities that are tailored to your requirements over the progression of your career.

To ensure we are meeting the needs of all members, we are developing a social work career trajectory framework. The aim is to ensure we understand the various career paths social workers take and to enable the AASW to provide services and support at each stage, in a way that considers the career drivers and aspirations of social workers. 

For example, the new mentoring program will give opportunities to those entering the profession to be guided and inspired by more experienced members who will, in turn, have the opportunity to inspire the future generation of social workers. 

Credentials provide specialisation opportunities for members in their mid-career, providing a sector indicator of achieved experience and capability. 

The review of the Australian College of Social Work will form part of this project, as we work to further understand the needs of social workers in late to end-of-careers, so that we can provide the right structure for the exchange of accrued knowledge and experience.

As the peak body, we play an important role in signposting key career milestones for the profession; having a clear understanding of the vast range of enriching opportunities that a social work career can offer.

We look forward to providing you with updates about this exciting development and will keep you informed about opportunities for you to be involved through the sharing of your own career stories.

	Federal Election 2019

The AASW’s federal election campaign has involved a number of activities.

The AASW Federal election Policy Platform has been published. This document outlines our position on the two key issues for the social work profession:

• guarantee of workforce quality through registration, and
• the value of Accredited Mental Health Social Workers’ within the Medicare benefits scheme.

It then outlines the AASW’s vision for a just society and the policy changes that we believe should be taken by the next federal government in ten key social justice issues. The issues consist of the topic areas which members prioritised through last year's Member Needs and Satisfaction Survey:

• Reconciliation
• Refugees and People seeking asylum
• Mental Health
• People living with disability and the NDIS
• Income support and employment programs
• Housing
• Aged care
• Family violence
• Redress
• Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The platform draws on the experience of members about the effects that federal policies have on the vulnerable people with whom they work.  Our recommendations in each topic are based on our position papers, submissions and media releases.

The Platform document was launched with a media release on 24 April.

Read more about the Federal Election, including our letter-writing campaign and the Policy Tracker

	National Families Week 2019: The AASW renews its call for urgent action to address family violence

During National Families Week 2019 (15-21 May), the AASW celebrates families as the central building block of our society. This year’s theme, Stronger Families, Stronger Communities, highlights their protective and nurturing capacity, while also recognising the threats to families from gender-based violence.

Read the complete media release.

	Reconciliation Week 27 May to 3 June - Grounded in truth: Walk together with courage

AASW is preparing to be Grounded in truth: Walk together with courage - this being the theme of Reconciliation Week 2019, which is 27 May to 3 June.

We have events planned in Victoria and ACT. Stay tuned on our website, social media and emails for how you can get involved and work towards Reconciliation. 

Reconciliation Week - Cultural Immersion Experience with Kutcha Edwards - Mutti Mutti Man - Victoria
Wednesday, 29 May

Reconciliation in the Park
Monday, 27 May - ACT

	Squeeze in your CPD by 30 June

Do you need to top up your CPD Focused Psychological Strategy hours for the financial year? Access the Empowering Excellence program. Watch the previews on our Vimeo channel.

Subjects include:

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Acceptance Commitment Therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Narrative Therapy
• and more...

	AASW Submissions and Inquiries

AASW's branches have social policy and advocacy issues they are pursuing and seek input from members. Be in touch with your AASW Branch to contribute to the policy areas that matter to you.

The AASW has recently made the following submissions:

• Federal Pre-Budget Submission
• Productivity Commission inquiry into the economic impacts of mental ill-health

All submissions are posted to the social policy webpage when we have permission to make them public.

We are currently working on a number of submissions.  If you would like to be part of the Association’s consultation process please contact us. More details are provided below.

	Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety update

The AASW member consultations for our submission to the Royal Commission have begun! We’d like to thank those members from Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territory who have already participated. Thanks to your generosity, we’ve managed to foster some fantastic discussion and insight from our members, which will no doubt be extremely useful in informing our submission.

Consultations for the other states are still upcoming and are listed below. Please register through your branch events page on the AASW website.

If you are too remote to be able to attend in person, we may be able to organise for you to dial in. When registering tick the option for remote participation and please send an email to socialpolicy@aasw.asn.au and we will share with you the details on how to join the session online.

Australian Capital Territory Member Consultation: Royal Commission into Aged Care
21 May, 2019 - 6.00pm

South Australian Member Consultation: Royal Comission into Aged Care
Wednesday, 22 May

NSW Member Consultation: Royal Commission into Aged Care
Thursday, 23 May

Tasmanian Member Consultation: Royal Commission into Aged Care
Tuesday, 28 May

Western Australian Member Consultation: Royal Commission into Aged Care
Wednesday, 5 June

	Shape the next National Disability Strategy

The National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 is about creating a more inclusive society that enables Australians with a disability to fulfil their potential as equal citizens.

It is also the main way Australia implements the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Australia, making sure people with disability can participate in all areas of Australian life.

At the end of 2020 the Strategy will end and governments across Australia are working together to develop a new strategy for beyond 2020. A recent independent review has shown that many parts of the current strategy are working well and the Strategy’s overall principles and goals are valuable and important, however the review also showed there are still areas for improvement, particularly on how the strategy is implemented.

The first stage of consultation takes place between April and June 2019.

You can have your say through

• a public survey (available from mid-April)
• face-to-face community workshops in every state and territory (beginning 29 April)
• and online forum (beginning from mid-May).

More information on how you can be involved is available.

	Medicare Benefits Schedule review update

On 5 February, the reports from the Primary Care Reference Groups. including the Mental Health Reference Group were released.

We are pleased to see that many of the issues raised by the AASW are included in the Mental Health Reference Group’s recommendations.

The closing date for submissions on the reports has been extended to 7 June. The AASW will be seeking to present to the Taskforce on our response to the Mental Health report, as well as making a submission to this process.

AASW MBS Review Working Group has been meeting to discuss recent developments and the AASW approach in making a response to the recommendations and proposed changes to the Better Access program.

	South Australian Social Worker Registration Bill

The AASW’s submission to the SA Social Worker Registration Bill is now available on the Joint Parliamentary Committee’s website.

AASW will again appear before the Joint Parliamentary Committee in June to make our final presentation and submission on the Bill.

	NDIS update

Annual Price Review

The NDIS Annual Price Review is underway and the NDIA is seeking feedback from NDIS providers, industry, participants, their families and carers, community and government stakeholders on a number of important pricing and policy matters for implementation as part of the 2019–20 Price Guide.

The NDIA is consulting with the sector and seeking submissions on the following:

• the price control arrangements for Therapy Assistants
• provider travel
• cancellations
• group and centre-based supports.

Feedback is also being sought on the eligibility criteria that should apply to the new Temporary Transformation Payment, which was announced by the NDIA on 30 March 2019.

AASW will be making a submission to this Review. If you would like to provide input please email socialpolicy@aasw.asn.au  For more information, visit the NDIS website.

NDIS Service Gaps Survey

The Department of Social Services (DSS) and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) have commissioned the NDIS Thin Markets Project to develop strategies to address supply gaps in ‘thin markets’ in the NDIS. The project will examine options for different cases. Noting that there is not necessarily a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing thin markets and related challenges, the ultimate focus of the project is on making sure NDIS participants affected by ‘thin markets’ challenges have access to the supports they require.

Thin markets are being described as inadequate service availability resulting in participants’ needs not being met. Thin market categories being considered include:

1. Geographically rural/remote areas
2. Support type (e.g. specialised supports with insufficient supply or low demand)
3. Supports for people with complex needs such as (but not limited to) early childhood, behaviour intervention, specialist disability accommodation
4. Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island participants
5. Support for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) participants.

The outputs of the project will include:

• a framework for addressing thin market challenges, including for rural and remote areas
• a roadmap for developing and delivering practical trial projects.

For more background to the project, please see the discussion paper.

If you are an NDIS service provider, you can respond to the NDIS Thin Markets Project survey which is open to 31 May 2019.

	Are you thinking of working abroad?

Are you an AASW member seeking employment in another country? Social work qualifications recognised by the AASW are highly regarded.

Find out more on our website.

	Advertise with us

Have you considered advertising in the National e-Bulletin? Do you have a product, event or service relevant to social workers? For more information, please view our booking form.

	Nominate now - De Leo Fund Award - research in suicide prevention

The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) has created the De Leo Fund Award, which honours the memory of Nicola and Vittorio, the beloved children of Professor Diego De Leo, IASP Past President.

The Award is offered to distinguished scholars in recognition of their outstanding research on suicidal behaviours carried out in developing countries. Members of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) are invited to nominate suitable persons for the De Leo Fund Award. Nominees do not necessarily have to be IASP members. Self-nomination is permitted.

Please send your nomination directly to Prof Diego De Leo, Chairperson of the De Leo Fund Award Committee and attach a brief summary (& CV) of why your nominee is deserving of the Award.

The deadline is 15 June 2019. Questions and nominations should be directed to Professor Emeritus Diego de Leo AO D.DeLeo@griffith.edu.au.