KUCHING, March 19: Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah welcomed the proposed Social Work Professional Act which will strengthen the country’s system to protect children from abuse.
According to Fatimah, cases involving children being abused, including sexual abuse, were being read in the papers every day, but rarely did the public stop to consider the skills needed to help such children.
“Assessing their needs, supporting them while they find their way in life and working with their family members fall on social workers within the Department of Welfare.
“Similarly for adults subjected to domestic violence. The proposed legislation is very much needed to ensure only those with suitable professional training will be appointed to such tasks,” she said in a press statement today.
Fatimah noted it is crucial for the social workers to adhere to the professional code of ethics of this internationally recognised profession, wherever they are employed, because they are dealing with highly sensitive, personal issues.
She said the Act will ensure that they are fully trained, registered and accountable to the public in the same way counsellors are regulated.
“We are fortunate in Sarawak that we already have a degree course for aspiring social workers at University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and have also opened up a step by step path to professional qualification with the newly established diploma offered by the Methodist Pilley Institute in Sibu,” she added.
Apart from that, she continued, the Act will also help the local students secure employment where they are needed and most importantly, help improve service design and implementation as they bring their knowledge, skills and ethics in addressing the various social problems faced by the societies.
Fatimah explained that part of professional social workers’ way of working is developing skills in the wider community, for instance how to care for an aging population, and they will also work in partnership with volunteers and others addressing such social issues at the community, family and individual level.
“Therefore ensuring those employed in social work posts are equipped with professional skills will help others to also play their part in developing a caring society effectively responding to varied needs. My Ministry is fully supportive of the Federal government’s plans,” said Fatimah. — DayakDaily
