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Job Scope
Social workers are trained professionals who care about people, who want to make lives better and relieve suffering.
They achieve their objectives by helping others overcome social problems such as poverty, relationship problems, domestic violence, crime, and drug abuse. They also work to prevent social problems from arising. When they think that adequate services do not exist in a community, they promote their development.
Social work’s approach is unique among the helping professions because it focuses on people’s problems in the context of their social environment. Hence, social workers come into direct contact with a vast cross-section of society – either as individuals, families or groups – and operate in many different settings such as hospitals, schools, family service centres and rehabilitation service centres. They are also found in administrative and policy planning roles.
But at its core, social work is all about the application of professional knowledge and skills to help clients make the most of their own abilities.
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Personal Qualities
Aspiring Social Workers should be sensitive and have a genuine interest in helping or working with others. They have a firm belief in the worth of human beings and hold a deep respect for all people. Responsible and committed in working towards improving the welfare of people and the society, the successful social worker also has a healthy awareness of human frailty and their own limitations.
“Idealism tampered by pragmatism” sum up qualities required of the aspiring Social Worker.
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Minimum Requirements
An undergraduate degree in Social Work from a recognised university or a graduate diploma in Social Work from:
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The National University of Singapore (NUS) ;
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SIM University (UniSIM) ;
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Monash University in partnership with Social Service Training Institute (SSTI) ; or
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An accredited foreign university
to be accepted as a Social Worker in Singapore.
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Salary Range
Social Workers can expect a starting salary of around $2,000 to $2,400.
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Professional Development Opportunities
There are various ongoing educational courses and seminars for Social Workers. Post-graduate educational opportunities such as masters’ programmes are available locally and overseas. VWOs-Charities Capability Fund (VCF) Scholarships are available through NCSS to pursue both graduate and post-graduate training in Social Work.
Social Workers can choose to specialise in different areas of work such as child protection services, family social work, school social work, youth work, gerontological social work, medical social work, working with the disabled, community work, rehabilitation of offenders, training, education, programme development, administration and policies.
Social Workers may also eventually function as the head for a number of specialised services and perform executive functions.
For more information on Social Workers, log on to www.sasw.org.sg
The Professionalisation Package for Social Workers
Two new initiatives, the Professional and Leadership Development Scheme and the Sabbatical Leave Scheme are rolled out to enhance the professional development of social workers. Applications are open till 30th April 2008. Please click here to find out more and to download the application forms from the website of the National Council of Social Service.
Training Pathway
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