HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Social workers
Tauwhiro
Social workers advise, support and advocate for people with personal or social problems.
Social workers work with all ages, from pēpi (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 whānau (family) with arranging financial support, emotional support and other services within the community.
They work in a range of settings. This includes schools, hospitals, government agencies and community agencies. Social workers are trained to understand cultural needs and are guided by the Treaty of Waitangi.
What social workers do
What a social worker does depends on the area they work in, but they may:
- help with the wellbeing of tamariki (children), rangatahi (young people), whānau 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.
Finding a social worker
A general practice team or government agency can help you find a social worker. So can a hospital, school or community agency. The social worker's services are free if you meet the relevant criteria.
Te Whatu Ora has 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.
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 September 2024.
SourcesReview key: HISNY-105442
