Evaluation of Social Workers in Schools (SWiS) services

Social Workers in Schools (SWiS) is a government-funded, community social work service available in most decile 1-3 primary and intermediate schools and kura kaupapa Māori.

Previous evaluations and kaupapa Māori studies of SWiS have found strong support for the service. Schools and kura, families and whānau, and social workers have said they value the service and see positive change for students across a wide range of areas.

To date, there have been few attempts to measure the difference SWiS makes. In 2016 and 2017, the Ministry of Social Development and Oranga Tamariki – the Ministry of Children worked in collaboration with other researchers to look at the impact of SWiS on outcomes able to be measured using linked administrative data. Two studies were completed. Both show encouraging indications of positive impacts.