COMPENSATION STRUCTURE FOR SOCIAL WORKERS

Column No : 1941

COMPENSATION STRUCTURE FOR SOCIAL WORKERS

10.

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports if his Ministry will increase its compensation structure to make it more attractive to train, attract and retain good social workers, so as to help tackle the rising number of social problems and family breakdowns arising in our society especially when attitudes towards gambling become more tolerated in our society.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: MCYS reviews the recurrent funding for the social service sector regularly. The Ministry is currently reviewing the compensation structure for social workers and other social service professionals, such as therapists, psychologists and associate professionals working in the social service sector. The review takes into account factors, such as changes in the operating environment, as well as the demand and supply of social service professionals.

However, compensation is not the only factor that needs to be considered. MCYS adopts a holistic approach which takes into account other aspects, such as public education, training and development, as well as recognition of outstanding professionals. For example, MCYS works with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) to increase the awareness of social service professions through public education efforts, such as career talks in various junior colleges. The Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO) Capability Fund provides funding support for social service professionals to upgrade their professional skills and knowledge by going for training. To date, over 1,400 training places have been offered. The Outstanding Social Worker Award recognises outstanding social workers each year who are exemplary in their field of service.

While the Government will continue to work with NCSS to help VWOs to attract and retain social workers, the VWOs as well as the donating public also play important roles. For many services, the social workers are the key channels for effective service delivery. VWOs need to attract talent to these jobs by paying adequately for the job. The donating public can also showtheir support by acknowledging that it is reasonable for a portion of their donations to VWOs to go towards social worker and staff salaries, as part of the total cost of bringing much-needed services to the needy.