Professional Standard: FG collaborates Social Work institute Standard
The Federal Government has pledged its commitment to collaborate with the Chartered Institute of Social Work to uplift professional standard in the sector and ensure effective social work practices in the country.
The Chartered Institute of Social Work
Practitioners of Nigeria; a professional and regulatory body for social workers
in Nigeria, Chartered by Act No 25 of 2022.
It is charged with the responsibilities and powers to determine the standard of practice, register and license social work practitioners among others as approved functions. The Institute classified Social workers into the following categories, the Officer cadre, Executive and Auxiliary Cadres each with requisite entering qualifications and examination prior induction into the Register of the Institute and consequently licensed as social work practitioner. It was also revealed that licensed Social work Practitioners are required to bear stamp and seal such that all official documents emanating from them are traceable to each as a control measure and standard for best practices.
Dr. Tunji Alausa Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare made the commitment when some members of the institute paid courtesy visit on the ministry on Wednesday in Abuja.
Alausa who identified the institute as cutting across number of sectors like health, humanitarian, education among others emphasised that effective collaboration with the relevant sectors would go a long way in effective delivery of its mandates across the country.
He further advised them to ensure harmonious working relationship with professionals in relevant sectors for effective service delivery to humanity.
“The ministry does not have any fiducious authority over you since you have governing board and self funded, we do not have any appointed authority over your chartered institute but we can collaborate with you when the need arises.
“Social work cut across several sectors and you have to collaborate across all the sector accordingly.
“Social sector encompasses a lot of things, it focuses on human capital development, health, education and any other social protection programme under women affairs, humanitarian and education sector.
” There is abundant work inherent in the institute and if well executed it will go a long way in addressing a lot of social ills in the society for the benefits of the entire populace,”he said.
Earlier, Prof Yemisi Abashoro-John assured the ministry that social welfare component was set to compliment the healthcare component towards the realisation of a holistic health approach for Nigerian.
Abashoro-John said the Institute would always cooperate with the ministry on all matters of professional social work services whenever the need arises.
The president appealed to the minister to partner and collaborate with the institute on social welfare matters.
She says “we are sure of your proactive efforts to sustain results in tackling health and social welfare challenges in Nigeria and the world at large.
“We also recognise that all of us in the health and social service sector have a moral responsibility in building an inclusive, tranquil and true system for ourselves and future generations,”.
The president said the visit was to seek
collaboration of the ministry to uplift the professional services of social welfare in the country and inclusion of the institute in the social welfare activities of the ministry.
“Establish a social welfare desk in the ministry for ease of social welfare
related activities by appointing a registered and licensed social worker
into your team.
Social workers are responsible for professional social intervention in the society in line with the laid down principles. Their service therefore cuts across all sectors of humanity, and cannot be left on a free will practice, hence the need for control and regulation. This among others prompted the wisdom of the Federal government to charter the institute of social work professionals in Nigeria as a self funding agency without recourse public funds, thereby reducing financial pressure on the part of government, and the institute has been running smoothly as mandated by law
