Social worker to be accredited in Singapore |
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On April 2, 2009 the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan announced a Social Work accreditation board would be set up by his ministry, the National Council of Social Service and the Singapore Association of Social Workers.
It will accredit social workers based on their relevant qualifications, training and experience. It will also handle complaints, review training and conduct public education. Accredited social workers will have to renew their status every two years. Speaking at the Social Workers' Day celebrations at the Grassroots' Club in Ang Mo Kio, the minister urged the nearly 400 social workers present to get their qualifications formally recognised.
Recent steps taken to make social work more attractive include the launch of a two-year bachelor's degree and a training allowance for voluntary welfare organisations.
Social workers in Singapore applauded the latest move, saying it would address misconceptions that they are not professionals, but merely volunteers.
The Singapore Association of Social Workers states, that "in the past decade, the Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW) has made some major achievements and conquered new frontiers. The setting up of the Social Work Registration System in 2004 and its transformation into a national accreditation scheme on 1 April 2009 is a good example." Furthermore the association looks ahead: "In the years ahead, SASW will focus on social work education and continuing professional education to enable as many social workers and social service practitioners as possible to be accredited." As of today, the Association represents about 65% of social workers in the country. SASW will "be actively encouraging all social workers and social service practitioners as well as social work students to join us for the advancement of the profession in Singapore."
IFSW congratulates the Singapore association for their long and effective campaign to secure registration of social workers', said IFSW President David N Jones. 'We also compliment the government of Singapore for taking this bold step to recognise the crucial significance of social work in Singapore. We call on other governments in the region and around the world to take a similar step. Social workers handle some of the greatest social risks in our communities', David Jones continued, 'and it is only right that the public have reassurance that there are robust mechanisms for supporting good practice and dealing with the occasional poor practice. We urge the Singapore government and SASW to continue to work closely together to ensure these plans reach the statute book as quickily as possible.
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page last updated on 14.04.2009
