HealthInfo Canterbury
Social workers
Kaimahi toko i te ora
Social workers advise, support and advocate for people with personal or social problems.
Social workers work with all ages, from babies to older people. They usually specialise in areas such as health, drug and alcohol, or family violence.
Social workers may be able to help you and your family with arranging financial support, emotional support and other services within the community.
They work in a range of settings including schools, hospitals, government agencies and community agencies. Social workers are trained to understand cultural needs and are guided by the Treaty of Waitangi.
Finding a social worker
A GP or government agency can help you find a social worker, as can a hospital, school or community agency. The social worker's services are free if you meet the relevant criteria.
Some social workers offer private services. You can find them by phoning the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) on (03) 349-0190.
DHBs have health social workers who specialise in:
- mental health, including drug and alcohol problems
- child health
- youth health
- adult health
- women's health
- older persons health.
Qualifications and training
In New Zealand, a social worker must have a qualification recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB). Most social workers have social work degrees. Most workplaces expect social workers to be registered with the SWRB and have current practising certificates.
What social workers do
What a social worker does depends on the area they work in, but they may;
- help with the wellbeing of children, youth, whānau/families and their communities
- help people find resources such as information, accommodation, benefits, home services and community groups
- talk to and counsel people about their problems and advise them of their rights
- help people with crises and support vulnerable people.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW)
The ANZASW website has information about social workers.
- Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB)
The SWRB has a register of social workers. Their website has information about your rights when receiving services from a registered social worker.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed June 2021.
Review key: HISNY-105442
