The Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers Inc. (AIWCW) is the recognised professional body for welfare and community workers in Australia and was founded in 1969. It represents at a national and state level the interests of welfare and community workers employed within government departments, non-government social welfare agencies, self help groups, commercial and industrial enterprises, and as private practitioners and consultants.

The Institute is a means by which welfare and community workers can come together through national and branch meetings and workshops, enabling them to share and benefit from their combined knowledge and experience.

AIWCW has played a major role in the establishment of formalised training for welfare and community workers and is generally recognised as the body for recognition of courses designed to meet the training needs of the welfare and community worker profession. (A list of courses is available separately.)

AIMS

· To promote public awareness of the aims and objectives of the welfare and community workers profession

· To promote relevant education and training of persons engaged, in or desirous of undertaking, welfare and community work

· To identify and document standards of knowledge, training, conduct and experience required for the competent practice of welfare and community work

· To register qualified persons and to encourage members to maintain the highest standards in the practice of welfare and community work as enshrined in the AIWCW Code of Ethics

· To uphold the rights and to improve, protect and foster the interests of its members

· Through liaison with appropriate industry bodies to maintain the employment standards of the welfare and community work field

· To influence social change where inconsistencies, deficiencies and injustices appear in the welfare and community work field

· To consult with associated organisations within the welfare and community work industry

HOW THE INSTITUTE IS STRUCTURED AND OPERATES

The Institute is a national organisation with a National Executive elected every three years by the total member-ship, and which holds Annual Meetings each September. As well as formal office-bearers, there are number of portfolio areas of responsibilities such as Membership, Communications, Finance and Administration, Education and Training, etc

The National Office is located in Melbourne, and is responsible for all membership matters, including general enquiries, assessment of applications, receipt of fees and distribution of membership documentation. The National Office distributes a proportion of fees and membership lists to the Branches, which provide more immediate contact with members.

Each Branch elects an Executive Committee, which administers the business of the Branch. Every two years each Branch elects a delegate to the National Executive to represent the views of the Branch. There is also provision for representation of Student Members.

Branch office bearers are honorary positions and may change each year – current contact details are available from the National Office.

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP

Full Member

A person who is or was employed, or is seeking employment, in welfare or community work and who is a graduate of a course and campus accredited or otherwise recognised by the Institute; or can satisfy the Institute that they are eligible, based on assessment of other relevant qualifications, work experience, recognition of prior learning, and/or competency assessment.

Non-Practising Full Member

A person who is otherwise eligible for full membership, but:

· Has not engaged in significant paid or voluntary work over the previous 5 years, or

· Is unemployed and is actively seeking work, or

· Is permanently retired from the workforce.

A reduced rate of fees applies to such members, who have the same rights and privileges as do other members

Student Member

A person currently enrolled in a course and at a campus which is recognised by the Institute. Student members pay reduced fees and have restricted voting rights, but may be formally represented at meetings and are covered by insurance.

Volunteer Practitioner

A person who is otherwise eligible for full membership, if engaged in voluntary or unpaid professional practice as a welfare or community worker for more than an average of 4 hours per week for the previous 12 months.

Affiliate Member

A person who has worked for payment or voluntarily, or has demonstrated considerable involvement and interest in the field of social welfare/human services for at least three of the five years prior to application. Affiliates do not have voting rights, are not recognised for professional practice and cannot be covered by professional indemnity or public liability insurance.

Organisational Membership

Organisations, educational institutions and social and human services agencies related to welfare and community work for at least the previous 12 months.

Other additional categories of membership have been awarded to long serving members: Fellow, Honorary Member and Life Member.

WHAT AIWCW OFFERS ITS MEMBERS

Full membership entitles you to membership in the national professional organisation for Welfare and Community Workers and a Membership Certificate and Membership Card are issued to you after you join. Membership provides a focus for identity as a professional worker and the basis for increasing recognition in comparison with other similar occupations.

There are opportunities to meet and discuss welfare and community issues with other welfare and community work practitioners and educators via informal networks formed through membership of AIWCW, and by attendance at meetings and seminars such as the biennial National Conference and Branch seminars and ‘skillfests’ - weekends of skills sharing, informal education and community building.

Members also benefit by the recognition of AIWCW by federal and state government bodies as the national organisation which represents workers in this field - no other national organisation covers the range of occupations listed. AIWCW is authorised by the Commonwealth Government to assess the overseas qualifications and professional experience of welfare workers seeking to migrate to Australia.

The Institute is also involved with:

· Welfare and community work related Advisory Boards and Course Committees

· Industry Training Advisory Boards

· National projects involving this field, such as the development of competency standards and the assessment of overseas qualifications and experience

· Negotiations with government, non-government and professional organisations

· Advocacy on behalf of disadvantaged categories of persons

Included in the annual membership fees are premiums for Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance, which covers financial Full Members and Student Members working in agencies, in partnerships or in private practice as counsellors. Further information is available on the Insurance Information Sheet.

Membership Fees also include newsletters and concess-ional fees for some conferences and seminars.

WHO IS A WELFARE & COMMUNITY WORKER

A person who, through professional training and field education, has the requisite values, attitudes, knowledge and skills to work autonomously, or within a team, in a social welfare agency or community program intended to promote, relieve or restore the social functioning of individuals, families, social groups or larger communities.

Trained welfare and community workers undertake a broad range of employment roles within government departments, local councils, hospitals, non-government welfare agencies and in some industries. Not all of these roles bear the title “welfare worker” or “community worker”. Occupational titles which employ people with welfare and community studies include:

Community Worker, Project Officer, Probation & Parole Officer, Counsellor, Program Co-ordinator, Youth Worker, Group Worker, Disabilities Worker, Case Manager, Residential Care Co-ordinator, Child Protection Worker, Home and Community Care Worker, Neighbourhood Centre Co-ordinator.

HOW TO APPLY FOR AIWCW MEMBERSHIP

Applications Forms for Membership are available from the National Office. Completed forms and certified copies of documentation together with the application fee should be forwarded to the Membership Co-ordinator.

You may be contacted for further information or your application may be referred to the Membership Assessment Panel for a final decision. Once membership is established you will be asked to forward the relevant membership fee. A Membership Card and documents confirming membership will be sent to you, together with a receipt, once payment has been made.

If you are dissatisfied with the decision or with any other membership assessment matter, information is available from the National Office regarding established appeal mechanisms.

The National Executive welcomes enquiries and comments regarding the social welfare field in Australia. Although the office is attended on a part time basis, every effort will be made to answer your enquiry as soon as possible.

AIWCW

PO BOX 42

FLINDERS LANE VIC 8009

ROOM 12 LEVEL 2

247 FLINDERS LANE

MELBOURNE Victoria

Phone: 03 9654 8287

Email: info@aiwcw.org.au