Skills for the Future of Social Wellbeing – workforce development project for social services

Whānau ora, family-centred and community-building approaches are the focus of workforce planning for social services towards 2020.

The workforce development project “Skills for the Future of Social Wellbeing 2020” is in its early stages, with a discussion paper due for distribution in April.

Dr Rory Truell, the ITO Chief Executive, says the ITO is honoured to be involved in this project. “We have a vision for our sector and we are thrilled that we have been able to initiate this project. The sector has really embraced it and has now made it their own. I expect great things to come out of this collaboration,” he said.

Sector leaders from social services and voluntary welfare umbrella organisations have joined the ITO in the project which is being funded by the Tertiary Education Commission. Wider involvement will be encouraged during the next few months, including with the health and disability sectors. 

The project has been aligned to Whānau Ora and Ngā Kaupapa o Moemoeā as guiding visions. Whānau Ora is about achieving maximum health and wellbeing for whānau using Māori models and concepts. Te Moemoeā is the vision for the work of the Family Services National Advisory Council: Families are strong and richly connected with their communities. They are able to support their members’ wellbeing, identity, participation and interdependence.

“We’ve aligned the project to both Whānau Ora and Te Moemoeā because they influence a wide range of services and groups involved in social wellbeing and community development,” said Rory.

Social services are moving towards integrated and holistic ways of working. “Iwi and Māori hauora and social services have been doing so for years. It’s clear that workforce strategies must reinforce these approaches.”

The project will look at identifying common principles and competencies needed across social service roles; and the leadership and organisational cultures required to support work to strengthen families and communities. Planning around other important aspects of workforce development, such as attracting and retaining skilled and knowledgeable paid workers, volunteers and leaders will also be considered.

“The scope of this project is broad because the future social wellbeing workforce will need to be flexible. So it’s really open to people and organisations that see themselves involved in strengthening families and communities.”

Current sector research, including by the NZ Council of Christian Social Services and the Families Commission, shows families have expectations such as being genuinely treated with respect, linked into services without feeling their lives are being interfered with, and being supported in building on their own resources and networks.

The competencies of workers and organisations should reflect those expectations, and the understanding of how to take whole-of-family and whānau approaches, Rory said.

“The stories from families show that focusing solely on an individual, whatever their age, is not going to bring about a sustainable solution when their family has other challenges or strengths that get ignored.”

Building rapport and trust, addressing inequalities and working collaboratively are also common themes from research about effective social services.

The discussion paper will draw on local and international research and trends, as well as the views of people involved in family support and community building. It will take into account the changing demographics and population forecasts for 2020 and beyond.

If you are interested in being involved in the project, please contact Jac Lynch, Project Manager on jac.lynch@socialservicesito.org.nz or freephone 0800 558 558. Or, look out for opportunities in 2010 to participate.