SOCIAL WORKERS IN SINGAPORE

SOCIAL WORKERS IN SINGAPORE: **

(Measures to improve standing and career prospects): **

26.

Mr Sin Boon Ann asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports whether the Government is taking any further measures to improve the standing and long-term career prospects of social workers in Singapore.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: The answer to Mr Sin Boon Ann's question is "yes".

We have identified three areas that we will work on with the various stakeholders. They are: (i) Remuneration; (ii) Image and recognition of social work as a profession; and (iii) Professional development and growth. Let me elaborate on each of these areas.

(i) Remuneration

MCYS will be increasing our annual funding to voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) by about $11 million, to run the programmes supported by the Ministry. Part of the increased funding will go towards raising the salary of social workers. This will help VWOs to better attract, recruit and retain these professionals.

(ii) Image and recognition of the social work profession

To improve the image and recognition of the social work profession, MCYS, together with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), will work with the social work sector to introduce an accreditation framework for social workers. This will enhance the image and professionalism of social workers. There will also be a scheme for social workers to continue to learn and grow, and to develop their skills and knowledge so as to stay relevant. This will ensure that the profession maintains a high standard of credibility and enjoy the respect of the people they serve. We will be consulting the sector on the setting up of the accreditation framework.

In addition, the Outstanding Social Worker Award, which recognises the best social workers in our midst, will continue to be given out. The Singapore Association of Social Workers will also continue to organise the annual Social Workers Day to showcase the contributions of social workers, and to recognise the profession in helping to build a more resilient society.

(iii) Professional development and growth

We will continue to encourage and support social workers to develop themselves professionally. Social workers can already access the VWO capability fund (VCF) for professional training, scholarship, and personal development. On top of this, MCYS is also introducing a $1 million Social Work Professionalisation Package, to further facilitate development and growth. As part of this package, a new Professional and Leadership Development Scheme will recognise and reward the best and most promising social workers by giving them the opportunity to develop their leadership potential. The details of the scheme will be announced later, but briefly, candidates for this scheme will get about

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six weeks of paid leave from their regular work to attend leadership training courses for professionals in the sector.

Another scheme in the pipeline is aimed at offering good and experienced social workers paid sabbatical, so as to allow them to recharge, re-energise, and renew themselves. This is to address concerns about burn-out and emotional stress. We recognise that work in the social service sector can be emotionally taxing and social workers need to be able to have time and the resources to take a break, take stock, and pursue professional and personal development. The paid sabbatical scheme will provide long-serving social workers with such opportunities.

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