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Introduction At some point during the 1980s, Margaret Thatcher, then British Prime Minister, was asked to comment on the growing ranks of the unemployed. She responded by suggesting that they should do social work. The tale contained the uncomfortable idea that social work is something that anyone can do, without any education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: This article forms part of the “Their stories, our history” series which provides information regarding some of the major contributors to the profession of social work in Aotearoa New Zealand. Ken Daniels is featured in this article. METHODS: A life history methodology is used to document some of the contributions made by Ken Daniels. Life history is a qualitative methodology where various forms of data are used to piece together a narrative. Interviews, documents, articles and other historical artifacts have all contributed to the development of this article. FINDINGS: Ken Daniels has pioneered a number of social work advances in the areas of mental health, social work education and the professionalisation of social work. He has also made outstanding contributions nationally and internationally in the field of assisted human reproduction through a time of rapid change. Using a calm, compassionate and determined approach, Ken has been able to navigate through the complexities of practice, policy and education. CONCLUSIONS: Ken Daniels has exemplified a practice which has centred a generalist social work approach, working in different ways and at different systems levels to achieve desired outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: This article reviews the life contribution of Mike O'Brien to the fields of social work education, research, and practice over his 55 years in the field. APPROACH: Using interviews, publications, and letters of support written for Mike's Queen's Service Medal awarded in 2018, a chronological and thematic consideration is provided which demonstrates Mike's significant contribution in linking teaching, theory, practice, policy, research, and advocacy in making a difference for the children and families of Aotearoa New Zealand. CONCLUSION: The overriding theme of Mike's career emerges as a determination to highlight the social work and social policy responsibility to address issues of child poverty at both micro and macro levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: There is now an extensive body of international research on fertility helpseeking. While this body of work has historically centred the experiences of dominant ethnicities and heterosexual and cisgender couples and families, our study attends to the experiences of individuals and couples from diverse and minority groups in Aotearoa New Zealand, for which, to date, there is little research. In the article, we report delays and disparities accessing assisted reproduction for these groups to advocate for fertility care based on reproductive justice. METHODS: The article draws on semi-structured interviews and talanoa from a qualitative study conducted during 2020 and 2021 with 39 Maori, Pakeha, and Pacific people residing in Aotearoa New Zealand who have experienced fertility issues for social or medical reasons and have sought reproductive assistance, using a range of procedures and treatments, to create families. FINDINGS: To better understand the reproductive journeys of people from these groups we report the challenges identified by study participants in the process of decision-making around accessing assisted reproduction and fertility treatment help-seeking. Importantly, we document a range of situational and structural fertility barriers that point to stratified reproduction relating to affordability, delays and long wait times for resources and services, discrimination, and noninclusive care. CONCLUSION: To address these issues, we recommend improvement to fertility treatment services and delivery that is culturally accessible, responsive, and equitable. This entails attending to the structural constraints that prevent people from accessing and obtaining the resources needed to realise their family building goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: This article examines the supervisory experiences and views of registered social workers across the practice areas of statutory services, health and non-government organisations (NGOs.) The article aims to establish a baseline for supervision across areas of practice in Aotearoa New Zealand and discuss the implications any differences have for the supervision of registered social workers. METHODS: Demographic data from 266 postal survey respondents was descriptively analysed. A one-way ANOVA and Tamhane T2 post hoc tests were applied using IBM SPSS 24 to explore variances in means for the independent variable of Area of Practice across 10 scales about the respondents' supervision experiences. FINDINGS: Differences were identified in the workforce profile of each area, and there were significant differences in supervisees' experiences of supervision across areas of practice which reflected each area's different supervision culture, policy, and practices. The findings show that supervision in health and NGO areas was more professional, clinical, cultural, reflective and involved more positive content within a more constructive supervision climate than supervision in the statutory area. CONCLUSIONS: A significant difference was found between the quality of supervision experienced by social workers in health and NGOs and their statutory social work colleagues. This needs to be addressed through changing the supervision climate, developing supervisor capability and the uncluttering of supervision through separating professional/clinical supervision from line management. This study provides a foundation for further research that compares supervision across practice areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social work profession is dedicated to the promotion of social and economic justice, but often has a limited appreciation of what economic justice actually looks like either in theory or practice. Economic justice, a form of distributive justice, assesses how fairly economic resources are distributed in a society. Currently, in Aotearoa New Zealand, both income and wealth inequality have reached historically high levels. Inequality research has demonstrated a causal link between inequality and a host of social and health issues that, while they impact society as a whole, affect the nation's most marginalised populations to an increasingly greater degree. Social work literature in Aotearoa New Zealand has limited research in this area. This introductory article will begin with an overview of concepts related to economic justice, such as distributive justice, income inequality, and wealth inequality. Following this is an overview of the 2020 Economic Justice Online Forum and an exploration of the implications for social work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The Family Group Conference (FGC) is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most innovative features to emerge in the Oranga Tamariki Act (1989). It was designed to address the harm caused by youth offending, as well as set the scene for reconciliation to allow victims to heal. However, victim participation at such conferences remains low. METHODS: This study focused on a 6-month pilot project in 2019 between the agencies of New Zealand Police, Oranga Tamariki and Victim Support, that aimed to increase victim participation at FGCs within the Taˉ maki Makaurau (Auckland) area. Rates of victim participation were tracked and six professionals were interviewed for their observations on the pilot. FINDINGS: Victim participation in FGCs increased during the project and interviewees identified that there had been more collaborative efforts between the professionals involved. Thematic analysis highlighted issues with 1) Agency processes and systems (with more training and resources needed, and more streamlined processes between the three agencies called for); 2) Information (youth justice information and cases were "too complicated," and tended to be offender-focused, not necessarily understanding victim's perspectives nor getting feedback from them); and 3) Timing (improved processes were needed around timely police referrals and there were effects of timeframes overall on victim participation). CONCLUSIONS: Participants recommended building on this exploratory pilot to increase and maintain better outcomes. The importance of victims being well-prepared for FGCs, feeling well-supported in making an in-person submission, in culturally appropriate ways, needs timely collaboration between well-trained and well-resourced professionals from the agencies involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The Aotearoa New Zealand social work professionalisation project disrupted underpinning grassroots narratives of the profession and led to decades of debate and conflict. Social work emphasises egalitarian approaches and, during the 1980s and 1990s, social workers responded to internal and external challenges of elitism, racism, and sexism. However, the ongoing professionalisation project has been at times, at odds with social justice imperatives and undermined by neoliberal drivers. METHODS: This research investigated how political, sociocultural and economic dimensions impacted on the development and initial implementation of the Social Workers Registration Act (2003) and how key actors at the time were affected. A qualitative realist research methodology has been utilised, analysing qualitative interviews with 22 participants, policy documents and archival data to clarify discourses of power and capture the voices and rich stories of those involved in the debates at the time. FINDINGS: A sociological lens was utilised to focus and frame the coalescing political, socio-cultural and economic forces that contributed to the problematising of social work professionalisation and the determining of the need for registration. Insight from some key actors at the time, including educators, the profession, tangata whenua, employers, practitioners, the State, and the public were considered. CONCLUSIONS: Examining these forces behind the professionalisation project provides a platform to consider if social work in Aotearoa New Zealand has been strengthened with registration. There are ongoing challenges and threats to the independence and social justice focus of the profession that grew alongside the grassroots of social work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Sexual and gender minorities continue to face social stigma and discrimination in countries that have progressively passed legislation designed to support their wellbeing and social inclusion. This article explores the impact of similar legislative changes in Aotearoa New Zealand through the reflections of older sexual and gender minorities. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with older sexual and gender minorities were conducted in multiple locations across Aotearoa New Zealand. Associations between legislative changes, social policy, and stigma and discrimination were examined in relation to the contemporary and historical experiences of older sexual and gender minorities. FINDINGS: Findings indicated that changes in legislation and social policy have not protected older sexual and gender minorities from social stigma and bias, and that social workers need to be active about their role in promoting a critical awareness of these intersections. CONCLUSIONS: With a growing number of older adults who identify as sexual and gender minorities in Aotearoa New Zealand, it is important that social workers promote a critical perspective about relying on legislation as the sole benchmark for social change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: This research sought to understand social workers' perspectives on good practice in specialist sexual violence social work practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. METHODS: In 2018, five registered social workers engaged in semi-structured interviews focused on good practice social work in the field of sexual violence. FINDINGS: The use of therapeutic social work, along with an extensive skill set and knowledge base were identified as fundamental for sexual violence social work. Boundaries and the development of broad self-care practices were recognised as crucial components of good practice. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study offers links between the field of sexual violence and social work practice, while also indicating the need for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: This paper discusses the situation of young carers, a population of children, young people and young adults who have received little attention in Aotearoa New Zealand social policy, social work practice and research. METHOD: The authors draw attention to the status and needs of this group through a review of literature and through their reflections, as two English-registered social workers, on practice with young carers in the United Kingdom. FINDINGS AND IMPLICATIONS: The paper argues that young carers are a vulnerable, invisible group who require recognition and respect. Using a children's rights framework, it is suggested that more attention should be given by social workers to understanding the complexity of this role, and the rights of young carers as children under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Social work and occupational therapy mental health practitioners face a range of tensions in relation to statutory obligations in the context of maintaining a focus on the ideals of social or occupational justice. APPROACH: The aim of this article is to highlight some of the complexities for social work and occupational therapy practitioners in an environment dominated by a medico-legal worldview. Those complexities include creating and maintaining a therapeutic relationship, adhering to legal obligations; and staying focused on professional values and beliefs. We have explored notions of social justice and occupational justice and undertaken a descriptive chronological review of Aotearoa New Zealand mental health legislation. IMPLICATIONS: We have provided an insight in to some of the key factors that have influenced the development of mental health legislation in this country in relation to social and occupational justice. We have considered how the medico-legal worldview influences staying true to the notions of social and occupational justice and have made suggestions for change relative to practice and the legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Emerging from a flourishing field of practice overseas, the growing evidence base for participatory arts engagement demonstrates numerous benefits for young people's health and wellbeing. In Aotearoa New Zealand, participatory arts engagement is under-valued and under-resourced despite local practice examples suggesting that it deserves further attention. METHODS: Focusing on a case example from an Auckland-based creative arts participation project geared to promote the positive mental health and wellbeing of marginalised young people, two focus groups were conducted to explore how participants felt arts engagement contributed to their wellbeing. Participatory arts activities were integrated within the focus group process to enable creative expression of their voices. FINDINGS: The youth voices unearthed through this research indicate that an arts-based approach can be used as a powerful tool in promoting youth wellbeing and this offers a significant promise for addressing local policy priorities. CONCLUSION: We suggest that participatory arts engagement deserves further investment and research to explore further application in social practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]