NZDF Social Work Services are here to support our NZDF community. Military Social Work provides support and intervention to military personnel, civilians and their whānau/families.
How a social worker can help you
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foreign
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the role of a social worker is quite
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broad so we support people across a
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whole range of different issues and
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basically it's anything that impacts on
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the quality of their life we focus in on
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the psychological and emotional
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effects on people whether that be their
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job
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work stress whether that be in their
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families and whanau if it's having an
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impact on you or if you've got something
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going on you're just not sure about it
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then that might be when you'd like to
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come and have a talk with a social
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worker just so we can navigate what's
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going on
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so we work with service personnel so
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anyone that's currently in the military
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um rfot we can work with their families
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in pano however we don't work with
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children under 18.
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we also work with defence force
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personnel who are on deployment
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um so people are able to come up and see
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us here at nco just drop in in person or
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over the phone or and lock down we learn
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how to use zoom we will connect with
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whoever wants to come and see us
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whether that's in the office
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whether that's in their home then we
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start to have that conversation about
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what the role of a social worker is
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rights to confidentiality
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and consent because engaging with a
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social worker is voluntary so it's your
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choice whether you actually want to
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engage with us or not
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so just really asking them who they are
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and talking about their fun now
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what's going on for them you know where
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they come from what their role is in the
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military
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and then we would talk about consent we
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talk about confidentiality everyone that
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comes to see the social workers um
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confidentiality is something that's
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really important so essentially whatever
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is said in the room stays in the room
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sometimes people are
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are we a bit nervous about the
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confidentiality and a bit nervous about
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coming and stepping forward so that's
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why we discussed that in the first
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session
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we're connected to the social work
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registration board and we're also
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connected to the aotearoa new zealand
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association of social workers so that
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kind of our professional bodies that
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essentially
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quality check our work you know so you
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can be assured that you're coming to see
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a professional and that if you're not
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happy with the support that you've been
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given there is avenues for you to be
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able to make a complaint
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you
What is Social Work?
Social work is all about helping people develop strategies that work for them to overcome challenges or problems. Social work also identifies what social issues are occurring at a community or population level and develops strategies to prevent or reduce the causes of these issues. Social workers are experienced at early detection of issues and building programmes or interventions that target prevention of social harm.
Who do we help?
Social Workers meet with defence individuals (military and civilian), their spouse and families.
What can we help with?
Support and advocacy
Health concerns
Career/Work concerns
Assisting you and your whānau/family with personal goals including parenting, communication skills, & relationships
Budgeting information or support
Alcohol and Drug Issues | Anxiety, Self-Esteem and Confidence | Gambling or Addiction | Mental Health | Sexuality/Gender Identity
Family/Whānau support during crises including grief, loss & family violence
Service changes or challenges like posting or relocation concerns, housing issues, deployment, career or work concerns
Cultural support
How can I get in touch with a social worker?
You can contact the Social Worker directly by phone or dropping into their office:
Who else can refer you to the Social Work Service?
Referrals can also be made by other health professionals for example:
Anyone in the Wellness Team – such as Chaplains/Recovery Coordinators, NZDF Nurses, NZDF Organisational Psychologists.
Your commander or manager may also refer you to a Social Worker.
External agencies that have engaged with NZDF personnel and believe that support can best be provided by an NZDF Social Worker.
Is it confidential?
Social workers are Registered Health Professionals and abide by strict confidentality protocols. In some situations the social worker may be working alongside other Health Professionals such as Medical Officers, Nurses, Psychologists and Medics, providing confidential support.