Events Calendar

This webinar will draw on Solution-Focussed Brief Therapy, Client Directed-Outcome Informed Therapy, and the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics. The techniques from these models allow practitioners to maintain clarity in another’s crisis, modify their and their client’s expectations of what can be done and help clients to achieve small, but important goals to set the foundations for ongoing recovery and/or thriving in the face of adversity.

1.5 hours of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge
AASW Credentials: Mental Health; Clinical

This two-part interactive workshop will take an evidence-based approach and will offer participants the opportunity to develop strategies for working with Autistic adults using ACT, both individually and with groups in the form of a half-day retreat.

The workshops will incorporate case studies, group discussions, and interactive activities, and will provide further opportunities for self-directed learning and reflection.

6 hours of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge
AASW Credentials: Disability; Mental Health (FPS)

Social Work Yoga and Peer Support Practice Group Meeting

Topic Discussion: Dr Jo Mensinga will facilitate a discussion on: “The relevance of the Yamas and Niyamas for social work practice”. Please source and read the article below, "Arielle Dylan & Kody Muncaster (2021) The yamas and niyamas of ashtanga yoga: relevance to social work practice, Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 40:4, 420-442, DOI: 10.1080/15426432.2021.1912686"

1 CPD Hour

No cost to attend

This webinar will outline the role of social work in residential aged care facilities (RACF) and present a framework of practice that has evolved as an effective way of engaging with Older Adults. “Normative Narrative Practice” will emphasize the need for our practice to be normalized as opposed to being focused on pathology and diagnosis.

The webinar will also highlight the special role that Narrative Therapy and Reminiscence can play in addressing the emotional wellbeing needs of older adults entering RACF’s through reflection and the telling and retelling of stories. The importance of understanding the nature and type of relationship between social worker and client that has the best chance of developing trust, transparency and authenticity in this age group is also explored.

1.5 hours of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge
AASW Credentials: Mental Health; Older Persons Social Worker (coming soon)

WA Branch is proud to host Social work practice within the human-animal bond Networking Group meeting for those who work in the area or are interested in this practice.

Effective leadership encourages teams to deliver outcomes, support clients effectively, and develop individual team members’ potential. Most social work practices are needing to do more with less, and this key influence for performance cannot be overlooked.

This workshop will introduce you to critical leadership skills for navigating day-to-day workplace challenges and manage team behaviour and performance.

This event is now sold out - please click here for September's workshop.

3.5 hours of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge

NAIDOC Week

Uluru Statement from the Heart presented by The Uluru Youth

The Uluru Youth are a collective group of young first Nations Peoples who support the Uluru Statement from the Heart
and a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution. We stand by the mandate of the Uluru Statement
for Voice, Treaty and Truth.

VIC Branch: Victorian Professional Identity and Events Sub-Committee (VPIE) is pleased to present the following webinar: What is Our Social Worker Identity?

If you are like most social workers you have probably felt misunderstood by colleagues from other disciplines at some time. Our values make us a little different than other professions. But, when it comes to trying to explain the differences we feel ill equipped to explain the differences. This leads us to question our identity as social workers. What is it that really makes us different? What are our values? What really makes up our social work identity? In this two hour lunchtime session we will hear from a panel of experts who will guide us to answer these questions and who will ask us more. Join us as we seek to understand the social work identity.

Members - $20 inc GST
Student Members - $15 inc GST
Non-Members - $40 inc GST

CPD Category 3: Professional Identity - Attending an AASW Event

Diaphragmatic Breathing (DB) is evidence-based, non-pharmacological, non-invasive, cost-effective and simple. Social workers are ideally placed to integrate DB for anxiety, depression and mood disorders experienced by their clients.

This two-part interactive workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to experience, and learn and develop proficiency in slow, diaphragmatic breathing as a simple skill for mental health practice.

• facilitator-led workshops: 5 hours
• self-directed learning and practice:1 hour

6 hours of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge
AASW Credentials: Mental Health (FPS); Clinical

Join the Sunshine Coast Practice Group for the June meeting!

Topic/Discussion: TBC

Social Work Yoga and Peer Support Practice Group

Topic-TBC

1 CPD Hour

No cost to attend

0.5 CPD hour

Voluntary Assisted Dying Laws in NSW- implications for Social Work

Expertise in end of life conversations is a crucial social work skill in many domains of clinical practice.
With the imminent implementation of Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation in NSW, this webinar will
focus on the ethical and access issues for individuals who seek to avail themselves of medication to
end their lives and will address the social work role in this emerging space.

0.5 CPD hour

Keeping Men in Mind: Understanding and responding to male suicidality and distress

Over 60% of men who die by suicide have been in contact with mental health services prior to their death. As therapists, when men come through our door, we need to ensure we’re offering therapy that meets them where they’re at. The aim of this webinar is to increase therapists’ awareness, skills and confidence to engage, connect with, and respond more effectively to their male clients.

Presenter: Dr Zac Seidler

Panel of presenters will discuss their personal experiences in the child protection system and identify changes that should be made.

This webinar will explain the NDIS service system and your social work role within it, providing strategies to market and promote your point of difference to build a stable and professionally rewarding caseload of NDIS Participants for the long-term.

Common service delivery challenges and misconceptions will be clarified including:

• Service Agreements, item numbers and cancellations
• Key language and terminology to use in letters and reports
• NDIS funding (core supports, capacity building and capital)
• Practice issues (neurodevelopmental conditions and psychosocial disability)

Additionally, the scope of social work in the NDIS will be traversed with on-the-ground tips and hints (including traps to avoid) when working within the NDIS service system.

1.5 hours of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge
AASW Credential: Disability

This webinar will present a practical approach to single-session work with couples and families based on a solution-focused model, including:

• an overview of the theory behind solution-focused client work and relationships/family work more broadly.
• acknowledgement of areas of work with couples or families where a solution-focused approach may or may not be appropriate.
• practical solution-focused strategies for use in a single session including an example of a single-session structure.
• discussion of potential challenges and ethical considerations. Examples of practice will be provided throughout.

1.5 hours of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge
AASW Credentials: Mental Health; Clinical

Join the Sunshine Coast Practice Group for the August meeting!

Topic/Discussion: TBA

This 3.5-hour virtual workshop will introduce participants to ways of identifying their strengths and working with them for increased effectiveness and resilience.

Using the world-renowned VIA Character Strengths Profile, this session will encourage participants to consider ways to adopt a strengths-based approach to their own development. With guidance from an accredited organisational coach, participants explore their own Character Strengths Profile and discuss ways to apply their strengths in a variety of situations and contexts.

3.5 hours of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge
AASW Credentials: Supervision (coming soon)

Social Work Yoga and Peer Support Group Meeting

Topic Discussion : TBA

1 CPD Hour

No cost to attend

WA Branch is proud to host Social work practice within the human-animal bond Networking Group meeting for those who work in the area or are interested in this practice.

The grief experience of parents and carers living with a child with a disability or chronic illness is unique and lifelong. As clinicians working with these families, social workers need to ensure that their work reflects an understanding and normalisation of the family’s experience of non-finite and ambiguous loss, and grief interventions that promote resilience.

1.5 hours of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge
AASW Credential: Mental Health, FPS and Disability

This webinar will introduce evidence-based knowledge on the impacts of childhood trauma in care and the lived experience of these people, who are referred to as Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers. It will help social workers gain an understanding of how to prevent re-traumatisation in aged care settings and identify and respond to trauma behaviours.

1 hour of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge
AASW Credentials: Mental Health; Older Persons Social Worker (coming soon)

Join the Sunshine Coast Practice Group for the September meeting!

Topic/Discussion: TBA

Effective leadership encourages teams to deliver outcomes, support clients effectively, and develop individual team members’ potential. Most social work practices are needing to do more with less, and this key influence for performance cannot be overlooked.

This workshop will introduce you to critical leadership skills for navigating day-to-day workplace challenges and manage team behaviour and performance.

3.5 hours of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge

Social Work Yoga and Peer Support Practice Group

Topic-TBC

1 CPD Hour

No cost to attend

Join the Sunshine Coast Practice Group for the October meeting!

Topic/Discussion: TBC

This interactive, small group workshop provides a fun and safe environment where participants will learn and practice the “how” and “why” of providing feedback. This workshop will begin by establishing the importance of feedback and its role in our professional lives, before delving into common challenges to providing feedback. The session will focus on strategies and techniques that are helpful in delivering feedback in a constructive and supportive way.

Participants will leave this session with the skills to implement best practice feedback strategies, and improved confidence when approaching these discussions.

3.5 hours of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge

AASW Credential: Supervision (coming soon)

Social Work Yoga and Peer Support Practice Group meeting

Topic Discussion : TBC

1 CPD Hour

No cost to attend

WA Branch is proud to host Social work practice within the human-animal bond Networking Group meeting for those who work in the area or are interested in this practice.

Join the Sunshine Coast Practice Group for the November meeting!

Topic/Discussion: Planning for 2023

This 1-hour interactive webinar will provide a safe space to explore and validate the importance of self-care and well-being for social workers. It will offer participants the opportunity to feel supported and will encourage them to share self-care tips and practice strategies for improved overall well-being, mindset, and productivity.

This webinar will introduce the value of self-care in social work practice and the crucial role it plays in professional sustainability, job satisfaction, and future career development. It will also highlight the benefits and discuss practical self-care strategies to combat some of the above-mentioned challenges faced in some social work positions in the field.

1 hour of CPD activity: Category 2, skills and knowledge
AASW Credential: Supervision (coming soon)

Social Work Yoga and Peer Support Practice Group

Topic-TBC

1 CPD Hour

No cost to attend