Abstract:
The development of ‘fit and proper’ students in the Bachelor and Master of Social Work (Professional) programmes at the University of Auckland (UOA) Aotearoa, New Zealand is explored by the Practice Learning team. Previous literature (Robertson, 2013; Sowbel, 2012) describes this task as contested between numbers of key stakeholders with placement teams acting as ‘gatekeepers’ in the process. Feedback was sought from three stakeholder groups to explore their definitions of ‘fit and proper’; personal experiences of ‘fit and proper’; and opinions on where responsibilities lie in growing ‘fit and proper’ students. The result of this appreciative inquiry and discussions with stakeholders has reinforced an aspirational framework that strengthens and further develops our relational approach to partnerships that contribute to cultivating ‘fit and proper’ students. Keywords: fitness for practice, field education, students