Non-government organization study awards: enhancing successful completion of social work qualification

ABSTRACT

The current study used a sequential, exploratory mixed-method design to explore how a social work study scholarship implemented in Aotearoa New Zealand impacted on recipients’ qualification completion and their professional and practice competence. Phase one involved 13 individual interviews with past award recipients which described how the study award impacted on their qualification completion. Thematic analysis was used to extract themes. These themes were examined in the second phase through a quantitative battery completed by 107 past recipients to examine their professional and practice competence. The findings from interviews showed the award enabled recipients to complete their studies and improve their social work practice without causing undue stress or financial pressure on the recipient and their family. Quantitative analysis corroborated and extended these findings to demonstrate that the award contributed to lifting the level of social work knowledge, competence, and skills in the recipients. Accompanying the successful qualification completion, these qualified social workers were equipped with essential skills, promoting social work values and competence to contribute and safeguard the benefit of children, families, and communities. The awards offered a ‘wrap around’ support and was not limited by age or ethnicity but provided a support system to achieve qualification completion.

KEYWORDS:

• Social work qualification completion
• student sponsorship scheme
• job satisfaction

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Derek Howell and Barry Maher from Ministry of Social Development for their support of the research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethics approval

Ethics approval was gained from the Massey University Human Ethics Committee (#13/87) in 2014.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by Massey University Research Funds 2013.

Notes on contributors

Polly Yeung

Polly Yeung is a senior lecturer, School of Social Work, Massey University.

Hannah Mooney

Hannah Mooney is a senior lecturer, School of Social Work, Massey University.

Awhina English

Awhina English is an Honorary Research Associate, School of Social Work, Massey University.

Kieran O’Donoghue

Kieran O’Donoghue is an Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Massey University.