Learn about social work, find out how you can be a social worker and if you are already a social work trained practitioner, join us for support and professional development.
Social Work is a dynamic and multi-faceted profession that works towards enhancing human well-being and social conditions. It is a profession governed by the ethical values and principles and based on theoretical body of knowledge and systematic approach of assessment, intervention and action plans.
A Social Worker works at different levels and with differing target clients. The work could be developmental, preventive and also remedial. Clients range from individuals, families, groups and larger communities of society.
A Social Work career begins with a Bachelors degree in Social Work. Post Graduate, Masters and Doctorate degrees provide a pathway for further professional development.
Social Workers in Singapore are found in a variety of work settings. Predominantly, they will be involved in case management, working with individuals and families in Family Service Centres, Community Development Centres, Prisons and other Corrective and Rehabilitation agencies, Hospitals, Hospices and other health agencies. They are also involved in Policy making, Teaching, Management Training, Social Research and Human Resources Management. Others work specialise as counsellors or psychotherapists.
The Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW) is a national body of professionals established since 1971, to represent Social Workers in Singapore.
On 1 April 2009, the Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW), together with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and the National Council of Social Service, launched the accreditation system for Social Workers and Social Service Practitioners. This accreditation system replaced the registration of social workers that was set up by the SASW in 2004.
The aims of accreditation are to
ensure professional standards of Social Work practice;
promote continual education and training of Social Workers and Social Service Practitioners;
improve the professional image of Social Workers and Social Service Practitioners; and
groom leaders to guide young Social Workers and Social Service Practitioners.
An Accreditation Board has been formed comprising established members from the sector. The SASW will function as the Accreditation Secretariat for the Board.
Please click here for more details on the Accreditation System.
As at today, we have received 573 applications for accreditation. Of these, 349 applicants have been accredited as Registered Social Workers (RSW), 40 as Registered Social Workers-Provisional (RSW-P) and 106 as Registered Social Service Practitioners (RSSP). All the accredited personnel have been issued certificates. Their names, registration number and period of accreditation are also listed in the Register on the SASW website. The title of “Registered Social Worker”, “Registered Social Worker-Provisional” or “Registered Social Service Practitioner” may also be used in their name cards during the period of accreditation.
If you have not applied for accreditation or have not applied for/renewed your SASW membership, we would like to encourage you to do so as soon as possible.
The benefits of being a member include:
Networking with fellow Social Workers
Access to information on developments in the social work field
Opportunities to influence public policies on social issues and matters affecting the social work profession
Free monthly newsletters
Special rates for training programmes organised by the training arm of the SASW, the Family Resource and Training Centre (FRTC)
Special rates for events such as the Social Workers’ Day
