Development of Social Work in Viet Nam Le Hong Loan Chief of Child Protection Section UNICEF Viet Nam

Part 1 Roles and tasks of social workers

Development of social work in the world Social work has developed in the world as a profession that responds to social problems by assisting individuals, families, social groups, communities and social system to resolve such problems and promote social well-being Social work has come into being as a result of social needs in the context of industrialization and modernization with the aim of solving increasingly complicated social problems Social work was first known in the middle of the 19 th century By 2009, 84 countries are members of the International Federation of Social Workers

Definition of social work The International Federation of Social Workers and International Association of Schools of Social Work defines social work as follows: “The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilizing theories of human behavior and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are foundational to social work”

Social work in international context Social work all over the world is based on one common definition, common basic goals and values. Each country, however, has it own approach, which reflects its level and stage of development, as well as its culture. While the U.S, Australia and Scandinavian countries, with advanced social welfare systems, emphasize interaction with individuals, other countries such as the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, East and South African countries focus on social development.

Elements of professional social work Countries with professional social work possess the following elements: –Legal framework which regulates functions, tasks, obligations and responsibilities of social workers –Education and training system –Job code, standards of professional titles, and salary scale –Association of social workers Some countries even develop: –Standards of social work as a profession –Code of ethics of social worker

Purposes of social work The purposes of social work are to intervene the lives of individuals, families, groups, communities and social systems in order to help them achieve social changes and to strengthen social security. Users of social work services may include: –individuals; –families; –groups (for example, people who share a common need or problem); –communities; –social systems.

Roles of social workers (1) Social work may play different roles and functions, depending on the circumstances and beneficiaries identified Individuals –Counselor –Case manager Families –Case manager –Family therapist Groups –Facilitator –Organizer –Mediator

Roles of social workers Roles of social workers (2) Communities –Organizer –Facilitator –Mediator –Advocate –Researcher –Mobilizer Organizations –Manager/supervisor/consultant –Counsellor/mediator for staff Research and policy development –Researcher –Policy developer –Policy advisor –Advocate

Where do social workers work? Government agencies at all levels In the community and service delivery agencies In residential settings: social protection centers, reform schools, detention centers Social organizations NGOs

In which fields do social workers work? Child protection Juvenile Justice Support problematic families in conflicts, crisis Social protection for the elderly Social protection for the people with disability Community development Education Health, including mental health Prevention of social evils

Part 2 Social work in Viet Nam

The needs for social work in Viet Nam Rapid socio-economic changes as a results of the renovation process, modernization and industrialization Widening gaps between the rich and the poor Increasing disparity Social problems and needs derived from changes in family and community relations, impacts of industrialization and modernization Poverty reduction remains an important issue Rural-urban migration Emerging social issues such as social evils, prostitution, drug abuse, crimes Negative impacts of HIV/AIDS Increased number of children in need of special protection Heavier learning pressure causing stress upon pupils and students Increased rate of divorce and less parental attention and care The needs for psycho-social support and mental health on the rise Increased number of elderly (7.5 million) Big number of people with disability (5.3 million)

The development process of social work in Viet Nam Many social work functions already existed in charity and social mobilization activities Lack of legal framework to recognize the professionalism of social work Currently, services for individuals, family, community are delivered by staff and volunteers who are not been trained on social work Absence of a contingent of professional social workers Existing large number of staff who have not been trained High potentials in existing work of mass organizations Social work discipline was approved by MOET in 2004 Around 1,500 students graduated with bachelor degrees on social work (BSW) in 2009 Professional social work is of great significance, which helps solve increasingly complex social issues in Viet Nam, contributing to the development of social welfare system of a modern and justice society

Recommendations on professionnalisation of social work in Viet Nam Establish Vietnamese Association of Social Workers accession to the International Federation of Social Workers and International Association of School of Social Work Train professional social workers as human resource development (at graduate and post-graduate levels) Create legal framework that regulates the roles, power, obligations and responsibilities of social workers Vocational training in the forms of credited programs Recognize social work as a profession with job code, title, professional standards, and salary scale Develop networks of social workers; and social work service system

Social work service system in the Government MOETMOH MOLISA MPS CourtMass organizations Social work service centers Social protection centers (01,05, 06) Social house Professional social workers/para- professional social workers Social work service center Social Protec tion Center High schools, colleges, universities Trường học Hospitals Hospital /Health center Commune health clinic Schools Reform school Temporary detention Provincial courts District courts Mass organizations Commune Health workers/collaborat ors Social collaborators Sub- organizations Mass organizations MOJ DOJ District Office of Justice Commune Justice Officer

Recruitment and human resources structure (1) Mainly focus on development of social workers and social work services in social areas under the management of MOLISA Develop the network of social workers in mass organizations such as Women Union, Youth Union…and other social organizations… In the middle term, social workers should be recruited for hospitals and health settings; The next step is to development the contingent of social workers for schools and other organizations Vocational structure should have both professional and para-professional social workers

Recruitment and human resources structure (2) Some recommendations on developments of social workers: A system of 150,000 collaborators at commune levels-> establish the very first social workers; At commune level, the ratio of one para-professional social worker/2,000 people is helpful to support collaborators and to tackle complicated cases: 43,000; 6 professional and specialized social workers, 2 out of 6 have post graduate degrees to work at relevant agencies at district levels, to support commune workers and carry out complex tasks; 4 social workers, 2 out of 4 have post graduate degrees to work at relevant agencies at provincial levels, to support district workers and participate into policy and search activities; On average, each center or social protection center has 3 social workers and 6 trained para-professional social workers; 3 specialized and trained social workers with post graduate degrees work in relevant departments, agencies of different ministries will be in charge of policy making and research activities; All departments/faculties in universities have training programs on professional social work with 50% of their staff with post graduate degrees; A large number of social workers will be recruited to work other settings such as hospitals, health units (each hospital or big health setting has one social worker)

Targets for 2015 LevelNumberOrganisationsStandardTotal Commune/ward11,000DOLISA, mass organisationsPara-professional 22,000 District625DOLISA, mass organisations (4 per district) Professional2,500 Post-professional1,250 Province63DOLISA, mass organisations, and relevant departments such as Health, Justice, Education…. (14 per province/city) Professional -756 Post-professional126 Central1MOLISAProfessional10 Post-professional24 Universities 35 Teaching BA programProfessional225 Post-professional200 Social Protection Center 400 SPC, 05, 06 centersProfessional 1,200 Post-professional 2,400 OthersN/ANGOs, hospitals, schools, universitiesProfessional400 Post-professional40

Recruitment and human resources structure (3) The number of professional social workers is 8,700 (1 social worker/10,000 people) With the vision to further development and possible shortfalls of human resources (for example retirement), it is important to increase the number of professional social workers to 12,000 in 2020 The number of para-professional social workers in 2015 is expected to reach 22,000 and 50,000 in 2020) (1 professional social worker/2,000 people) 150,000 collaborators at commune levels receive short term training courses

Social work education and training Professional typeEducational level CertificateShort-term course Para-professionalVocational training program (certificate accrued training) College diploma ProfessionalBachelors degree Post-professionalContinuing specialised professional education (in-service short courses) Higher degrees – masters and doctorates

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