The Accreditation System for Social Workers and Social Service Practitioners was launched on 1 April 2009 by the Ministry of Social and Family Development, National Council of Social Service and Singapore Association of Social Workers. The framework is owned by the Ministry of Social and Family Development.
The accreditation system was put in place to:
- Ensure professional standards of Social Work practice;
- Promote continuing education and training of Social Workers and Social Service Practitioners;
- Groom leaders to guide young Social Workers and Social Service Practitioners; and
- Improve the professional image of Social Workers and Social Service Practitioners.
The Accreditation System is overseen by the Social Work Accreditation and Advisory Board (SWAAB) which is appointed by the Ministry. It is administered by the Accreditation Secretariat of the Singapore Association of Social Workers.
The terms of reference for the Board are to:
- Review the accreditation framework and the continual professional education guidelines whenever necessary
- Handle appeals / disciplinary / complex cases for accreditation and renewal in a fair and honourable manner and observe the confidentiality of information obtained during the course of discharging SWAAB duties
- Review the mechanisms needed to maintain the professional practice of social workers
- Provide thought and professional leadership on the development of social work and its professionals in Singapore, including policies, professionalisation, training and development and standards of practice
- Provide consultations and inputs to Government on issues affecting the profession and initiatives targeted at the professionalisation of social workers and social work associates
The Board comprises 16 members as follows:
Chairman:
Ms Ang Bee Lian
Director-General of Social Welfare
Ministry of Social and Family Development
Members:
Ms Tan Sze Wee
President, Singapore Association of Social Workers
Executive Director, Rainbow Centre
A/P Lee Geok Ling
Head, Social Work Department
Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences
National University of Singapore
Ms Morene Sim
Director
inlingua School of Languages
Member of the Probation Committee, Juvenile Probation Case Committee and Panel of Advisers
Prof Seng Boon Kheng
Head, Social Work Programmes
S R Nathan School of Human Development
Singapore University of Social Services
Ms Lilian Mark
Head, Medical Social Work
Institute of Mental Health
Dr Katijah Dawood
Divisional Director
Family Services Division, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities
Dr Vincent Ng
Chief Executive Officer
AMKFSC Community Services Ltd
Ms Julia Lee
Senior Director, Social Work & Programme Development
TOUCH Community Services
Ms Elaine Loo
Director, Membership & Strategy Implementation
National Council of Social Service
Mr Lee Seng Meng
Executive Director
SHINE Children & Youth Services
Mr Mohd Ali Bin Mahmood
Community Development & Social Work Consultant
BroMohd – The Practice
A/P Teo Poh Leng
Associate Professor, Social Work Programme
S R Nathan School of Human Development
Singapore University of Social Sciences
Ms Bridget Monica Das
Head, Psychosocial Sciences
Ren Ci Hospital
Ms Tabitha Ong
Director of Adult Protective Service
Rehabilitation and Protection Group
Ministry of Social and Family Development
- Process and approve straightforward applications and renewal of applications;
- Provide secretariat support to the Board;
- Conduct public education and promote the Accreditation System to potential applicants;
- Maintain records of accredited social workers and social service practitioners;
- Answer queries;
- Update accredited members on training and other matters; and
- Review the training matrix/CPE credits.
Members of the Accreditation Secretariat
Head: Ms Theresa Lee
Senior Executive: Ms Sharon Song
Programme Executive: Ms Pearlyn Lee