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 14 members as follows:
Chairman:
Ms Long Chey May
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
Associate Prof Lee Geok Ling
Head, Social Work Department
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
National University of Singapore
Associate Prof Teo Poh Leng
Head, Bachelor of Social Work Programme
S R Nathan School of Human Development
Singapore University of Social Sciences
Ms Tabitha Ong
Director, Adult Protective Service
Rehabilitation and Protection Group
Ministry of Social and Family Development
Mr Lee Seng Meng
Executive Director
SHINE Children and Youth Services
Ms Lilian Mark
Sr Principal Medical Social Worker
Institute of Mental Health
Dr Vincent Ng
Chief Executive Officer
Allkin Singapore Ltd
Ms Elaine Loo
Director
Service Strategy and Innovation, Service Planning and Funding Group, Capability Funding, Sector Capability and Transformation Group
National Council of Social Service
Mr Mohd Ali Bin Mahmood
Social Work Consultant
BroMohd – The Practice
Ms Bridget Monica Das
Head, Psychosocial Services
Ren Ci Hospital
Dr Sylvia Mun
Deputy Director
KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Ms Katherine Baptist
Director, Social Advocacy (Anti-Violence)
Montfort Care
Ms Chow Choy Yin
Chief Executive Officer
Trans Family Services
Functions of the Accreditation Secretariat
- Process and approve straightforward applications;
- Provide secretariat support to the Board;
- Conduct public education on the Accreditation System to Social Workers;
- Maintain records of accredited Social Workers and Social Service Practitioners;
- Update accredited members on training and other matters; and
- Review the training matrix/CPE credits.
Members of the Accreditation Secretariat
Head: Mr Simon-Peter Lum
Senior Executive: Ms Sharon Song
Programme Executive: Ms Pearlyn Lee
Admin Executive: Ms Kamaljeet Kaur