Migrant Social Workers' Experience in New Zealand: Education and Supervision Issues

Abstract

Social work has recently featured a mobile workforce, joining other professions in having members navigate the opportunities and challenges posed by working and living in countries other than their country of birth and the country where they obtained their professional qualifications. Local data on professionals employed in the social services workforce in New Zealand were needed to inform educational and institutional responses to this complex phenomenon. Study findings highlighted a range of themes with significant implications for research, practice and education. This paper reports on a sub-section of a larger project, namely the views and reported experiences of overseas-qualified social workers in New Zealand with respect to education, professional development and supervision. Core themes emerged related to the experience of the ‘politics’ of social work in New Zealand and conflicts over cultural and practice issues. The implications are discussed with reference to education and supervision.