ON AUGUST 19 the AASW released a third draft of the ASWEA STANDARDS, which were shared only with targeted individuals. The document was labelled NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION and feedback was open only for 14 working days. The changes proposed potentially have a range of adverse industrial consequences for the job security, pay and conditions of social work academics (and practitioners in the field) as well as the quality of social work education generally.

“I am completely flummoxed about why these new ASWEAS standards have been proposed. They are utterly a retrograde step. (NTEU Survey participant).”

THE NTEU is taking action to share information about the proposed standards so that social work educators and practitioners across the country and can be aware o of the industrial implications and join the campaign to reject the changes.

“The lack of transparency in the consultation process and in particular confidential consultations with senior staff in universities who are not social work qualified.”

One on the changes is the removal of: “by mutual agreement with HEPs, since t the 1960s the AASW has been charged with the professional accreditation of social work programs” (AASW ASWEAS p.6 2023).

“Very disappointed at the lack of transparency around AASW consultation.”

This is replaced by: “AASW seeks to ensure that Higher Education Providers…equip the next generation of social workers” (DRAFT AASW ASWEAS 2024), indicating a significant change in the nature of the relationship between the AASW and Australian Council of Heads of Social Work (ACHSWE) and by extension, Higher Education Providers (HEPS).

“Limited consultation with Academic providers including not taking into account reasonable concerns previously discussed.”

Recently, the NTEU launched a national survey to both share information about the standards and gather social work educators’ perspectives about the changes. Over 80% of respondents were concerned that the changes to the proposed ASWEAS would have adverse consequences for: staffing, resourcing and quality of social work and field education programs and graduates; deprofessionalisation; and the survival of social work as a research-based, university- educated profession

“There has been no direct consultation with AASW members on the proposed changes to the ASWEAS.”

Survey respondents also indicated high levels of concern about the LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN THE CONSULTATION PROCESS.

“I have only recently seen the proposal as early copies were circulated with secrecy and not available to everyone.”

TELL THE AASW
We need a member-led, democratic,
transparent, ethical professional body that
consults with and is accountable to its members
and the social work profession more broadly.
We need a genuinely open and inclusive consultation for ASWEAS.

“a gross lack of consultation from the AASW… making it very difficult for social workers to consider the proposed changes.”

We do not agree with the removal of “the need for mutual agreement” given the vital role that HEPs play in shaping and delivering Australian social work education.

“highly concerning approach, that appears to not value and open consultation process nor the voices and experiences of social workers in many sectors, especially the higher education sector.”

TAKE ACTION NOW – PLEASE SHARE
Post ‘public’ and tag@theaasw USE HASHTAGS WHEN YOU RESHARE IN SOCIAL MEDIA: #socialwork #socialworkers #socialworkeducation #highereducation #AASW#socialjustice #placements #socialworkplacement #workintegratedlearning #diversity #equity #socialjustice #workforce #sustainable d i r e c t m e s s a g e @ A A S W

“I haven’t seen it (nor was I even aware it was out) is in itself concerning. Why has this not been publicised? Why has it not
been made available to the profession and, in particular, SW educators?”