‘Professionalising’ social work key to improving its services — minister

AMMAN — “Professionalising” social work is key to elevating the level of provided services, Social Development Minister Reem Abu Hassan said Monday.

Speaking at a meeting with academics and social work experts, the minister noted that professionalising social work in Jordan is the ministry’s “top priority”, incorporated in the Jordan Vision 2025 plan.

“It is not a bonus, but a necessity,” Abu Hassan said, adding that the experience of accountants and journalists in establishing professional associations is a sign for optimism.

Stressing the need for all stakeholders to cooperate, the minister said it is “not difficult” to develop work certifications for social workers, as part of a professional track connected to a system of incentives and rewards.

Yassin Hudaib, a social work expert with over 45 years of experience in the field, highlighted the importance of systemising the profession and organising the affairs of social workers.

He added that educational, medical and industrial institutions that are supposed to hire social workers lack awareness of the significance of doing so.

The gathering discussed the results of several meetings of a committee formed by the ministry that includes members of concerned academic institutions and civil society organisations.

The committee recommended enhancing the capacities of social work departments at universities, establishing a certified organisation to certify social workers and enhance the capacities of those working in the field.

In addition, the proposals included endorsing a social work law that could be the basis for establishing an association for social workers and encouraging Jordanian social workers, to become part of regional and international networks.

Other experts attending the deliberations suggested coming up with a specific definition of the social worker, as the profession has expanded to include non-professionals, a step that should be followed by a survey of the number of social workers to facilitate professionalising the sector.