Presented by:Chan Soak Fong

Professional Social Work in SE: Education and Qualification21 – 22 July 2015, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Background

• Professional social work was introduced into Malaysia after World War II with the establishment of the Department of Social Welfare in 1946.

• Over decades, social problems are increasing in number, becoming more complex and multi- dimensional in nature.

• Professional supervision is needed to ensure the quality and accountability of social work practitioners in order to provide quality services to the clients.

Current issues

1. Lack of professional body to monitor and regulate social work practice, education and training towards achieving professional standards

3. Lack of effective supervision in practice

2. National Survey on Social Work Practice in Government Agencies and NGOs

Welfare workers/social work practitioners are insufficiently trained in social work

lack of CPD

(DSW & MASW, 2005)

4. Lack of social work education and training opportunity at certificate/ diploma level

No standardization in social work curriculum.

The social work educators also vary from various disciplines

No formal association of schools of social work The National Joint Consultative Committee for

Social Work Education (NJCCSWE) was established in 2000 to ensure minimum standards of social work education curriculum

Social work education

cont..

Formal training in social work program

cont..

to explore some of the primary issues in providing effective field supervision in the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia (DSW).

to present a preliminary overview on the practice of supervision in the DSW

The aim of the survey is

Methodology

Training on “Introductory Social Work Supervision in the Organization”

Results

Zone Respondent(n = 148)

Northern Region

31

Southern Region

36

East Coast 33

Sarawak 21

Sabah 27

Academic qualificationAcademic qualification

75%75%

Malaysian Higher School Certificate is a pre-university examination taken by students in Malaysia. It was formerly known as the Higher School Certificate (HSC). The HSC was the precursor to the GCE A Level in the UK

• Social Work

• Anthropology

• Sociology

• Psychology

• Counseling

• Social Administration

• Human Development

• Social Development

• Social Policy and Development

Political Science Science Administration Business Administration Business Management Human Resource Management Management Accounting Planning Islamic Planning Public Administration Urban Planning Accountancy Mechanical Engineering Finance

CoursesCourses

* Depending on the needs, situation and issues encountered

every day

once a week

fortnightly once a month

not on regular basis

never

Sufficient 45%

Insufficient

30%

Not sure 18%

Frequency of supervision Frequency of supervision

perc

enta

ge

NA

perc

enta

ge

perc

enta

ge

98% 98%

Issues and challengesIssues and challenges

1. Absence of structured and systematic supervision and guidelines

2. Poor supervision (lack of qualified supervisors)

3. Lack of effort (existing staff)

4. Poor understanding on supervision

5. Attitudes and mentality (remain status quo in current situation)

6. Communication hindrance between the superior and staff

7. Lack of access and opportunities for CPD

8. Overwhelming caseloads

9. Rotation of work

Discussion and suggestionDiscussion and suggestion

Conclusion

Supervision is essential in enhancing the competency and ensuring the professional development of the frontline practitioners.

Further in-depth national survey to examine the nature of supervision practice.

Collaboration – practice and education