Support worker professional development grants 2024 feedback report

Te Pou offers a range of activities to create learning opportunities to build the knowledge and skills of support workers in mental health and addiction services. One such activity is the professional development grants which support existing support workers to participate in learning that enhances their professional practice and career development.

This report summarises the feedback from the recipients of the 2024 grants upon completing their learning activities, highlighting the impact on their knowledge, skills, and confidence.

• All respondents (100 percent) reported gaining new skills or strengthening existing ones through the learning activity funded by the grant.
• Reduced financial pressure enabled recipients to focus on study, boosting confidence, cultural capability, and their ability to support their communities.
• Support workers intend to apply their learning across areas such as trauma‑informed practice, values‑based engagement, crisis response, reflective practice, and holistic support for tāngata whai ora.
• The findings reinforce the value of investing in the support workforce and the positive impact this has on equity, cultural responsiveness, and service quality.