The legislature yesterday passed the outline of a government-initiated bill on the mandatory accreditation and licensing of social workers, with the aim of improving the quality of the services provided by social workers and reinforcing their professional image.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam Chon Weng introduced the outline of the bill during a plenary session in the legislature’s hemicycle yesterday.
According to Tam, the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) commissioned a study in 2009 on the possible accreditation and licensing of social workers, the findings of which showed that the social services sector generally agreed that the setting-up of the accreditation system could boost the sector’s further “professionalisation”, apart from improving the quality of the services it provides, Tam said.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam Chon Weng (right) speaks during yesterday’s plenary session in the legislature’s hemicycle while Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) President Celeste Vong Yim Mui looks on. Photo: Tony Wong
