Members who have elected to undertake the face-to-face assessment should indicate which process they wish to be assessed by – i.e. Niho Taniwha (for Tangata Whenua only) or Tauiwi (for everyone else).  Only Assessors in the candidates area will be available for face-to-face assessments.

3 copies of the completed portfolio, including all references, should be posted to National office.  When the portfolio is received at National Office, the Admin Team will carry out a ‘basic check’ of the content.  The purpose of this is to ascertain that all of the components necessary for the process are present.  This reduces the Assessors time collating and co-ordinating references.  Qualitative content remains the role of the Competency Assessor. Complete portfolios will be sent to the Assessor within 3 working days.

Members sending portfolios without the requisite number of references will be contacted by the Admin Team, so as to furnish the material required.  If you have elected the Niho Taniwha process you may choose to have referees give their korero verbally to the Assessor.

Centralisation of processes means improved tracking of our processes.  As we also want to make the best use of our Assessors time and ANZASW resources, it may be necessary for candidates to wait until Assessors have a full day of assessments.  This enables us to maintain cost structures for members and allows better planning for Assessors.

Both the Niho Taniwha and Tauiwi processes involve the preparation of a portfolio of evidence that is then presented to an independent assessment panel. Assessment panels are arranged by professional Assessors located throughout the country.  Local workshops are provided to explain the competency assessment process and to advise on the preparation of the portfolio.  An outline of each process can be found below.  Click here to see the fees associated with competency assessment.

Tauiwi Competency Assessment – (open to all)

The Tauiwi Competency Assessment process includes the following steps:

1. The applicant may attend a pre-assessment workshop.  Assessors hold these workshops regularly and will advertise their availability on both the website and in NoticeBoard.
2. The applicant compiles an assessment portfolio and submits 3 copies of the portfolio to National Office.  The assessment portfolio must include the following documentation:
   • Assessment Questionnaire;
   • References from 3 or 4 referees;
   • Example(s) of social work practice that reflect the main aspect of their work.
3. On receipt of 3 copies of the completed assessment portfolio the National Assessor, in liaison with the Applicant, arranges:
   • A Comptency Assessment Panel, comprised of the National Assessor, a Tangata Whenua member of ANZASW and one other member of ANZASW.
   • A date, time and location for the applicant to meet with the Assessment Panel.
4. The applicant presents to the Competency Assessment Panel.  Applicants are encouraged to bring a support person or group to the meeting with the Competency Assessment Panel.  Support people may also be referees for the applicant.
5. The Competency Assessment Panel issues a Competency Notice, which recommends that either:
   • The applicant is granted Full Membership, or
   • Further evidence is required for specific practice standards.  In this instance the applicant remains a Provisional Member and is required to re-present to the Competency Assessment Panel within a defined time frame (no longer than 12 months).
6. The applicant receives a copy of the Competency Notice (recommendation).
7. Once approval is advised by the Manager of Membership Services, National Office issues a Competency Certificate in accordance with that decision.  The timeframe is usually within a few days, so long as all criteria for the applicants membership and assessment have been met.

The Competency Assessment is based on the ANZASW Standards for Social Work practice.  For applicants whose significant field of practice is supervision, the Supervisor Practice Standards should be evidenced in addition to the Standards for Social Work Practice. The Supervisor Practice Standards should be requested where this is applicable.

Niho Taniwha Competency Assessment – (for Tangata Whenua only)

The Niho Taniwha model includes the following unique aspects to the process:

1. Case study includes informed consent of the client or client at hui – Tuhituhi

2. Q1-6 – Tuhituhi

3. Q7-10 – Referees attend, to korero to their attestation (kanohi to kanohi, or face-to-face)

Example of Tangata Whenua Process

A Tangata Whenua applicant working in a Non Government Organisation, undergoing the Niho Taniwha process, submitted their case study and questions 1-6 in writing.  They chose to korero to questions 7-10 with support from referees (whanau tautoko).  The client (whaiora) initially supported the case study with an informed consent statement, but subsequently chose to attend the hui to support the applicant in person.  The presence of all people relevant to the applicant’s case study, and colleagues, provided an affirming environment for the hui process.