Trish Kane (VSO)

Social Work AdvisorDepartment of Social Work & Centre for Social Work Development

University of Social Sciences and Humanities336 Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan, Ha Noi

This Session will provide ........

An overview of social work internationally (brief history, definition, development)Briefly examine the values necessary to do itIdentify the core competencies and skills relevant to social workExplore the history & current development of social work in VietnamHighlight the recommendations for Social Work development in Vietnam

Definition (IASSW/IFSW)‘The social work profession promotes social change, problem-solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the point where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work’

BackgroundDeveloping since late 1800’s in industrial countriesOriginally based on Charity modelFamily & community usually managed issuesRecognition of complex social problemsMoved to more systematic approachFormal education & professional associations createdOften the ‘Social Work’ title is legally protected

Social work.......Bases its methodology on a systematic body of evidence based knowledge derived from research and practice evaluation.......The social work profession draws on theories of human development and behaviour and social systems to analyse complex social systems and to facilitate individual, organisational, social and cultural change(IASSW/IFSW 2000)

Social Work EducationThe international recognised standard is now an Undergraduate University DegreeVariations often require MASWIn many countries professionals often require a licence and registration to practicePractice is monitored by National Associations (80 countries)Associations – provide code of ethics to practice, monitor and sanction unacceptable practice

Social Workers are expected to acquire the knowledge skills and values that relate to the vision of SW

What do you learn as a social worker?

Values and principles of social workSome skills and knowledge needed to practiceReflective practice (about yourself as a practitioner)

KNOWLEDGE (examples)Child development Youth studiesLaw CounsellingSocial policy Art/DramaPsychology Case managementSociology Disability studies

SKILLS (examples)Communications (all – verbal, non-verbal, observation, listening, interaction, presentation etc.,)Facilitation Interpersonal Mediation & conflict resolutionPlanning/Organisation/Time managementAnalysis & assessmentSpecific specialist skills e.g. Techniques for working with special groups/individualsCounselling Social research

NB skills happen at 3 levels; basic, intermediate & advanced. You must gain experience to progress

Some values underpinning Social Work

Rights based approachAnti-oppressivePartnership modelEmpowerment principlesEquality, respect and dignityParticipationNetworkingCollaboration HonestyTrust/integrity

What do professional Social Workers Do?Social workers do many things! SW is a complex activity that often has no absolute solutions. Each case that you deal with is unique to a given situation in time. It is often connected to a set of circumstances that you may not have dealt with previously. Managing a case can be like a ‘drama’ in which the key characters and all factors related to a situation and the environment must be identified before the story continues to a solution. The drama can take a long time to unfold! And indeed, sometimes it may never reach conclusion.It may require you to increase your knowledge & skills to be effective in a particular situation

Who do Social Workers work for/with?Social Workers generally work with people who are;

Vulnerable in some way (e.g. street children, older people, PWD)Excluded from all that society generally offers (e.g. isolated, marginalised, minority people)Cannot participate fully in aspects of society (e.g. some women, people living in poverty)Suffer from Stigma & Discrimination (e.g. HIV/AIDS, sex workers, drug addicts)

Social Workers often work in the complex social political environment/system that placed people in their situations

Direct work can involve working withIndividualsGroupsOrganisationsCommunitiesFamilies NGO’sGovernment departments

SW’s often work on capacity building, advocacy, community development, training, counselling, lobbying, research, policy development....etc.,

Some Core competencies necessary

Solid communication & interpersonal skillsSound theoretical knowledge for stage of professional developmentAssess needs and circumstancesPlan, carry out and review SW practiceSupport, lobby and advocateCompetent case managementManage risk and risk assessmentsBe accountable and engage in effective supervision and CPDDemonstrate professional practiceCritical self reflective practice

Social Work in Vietnam“The development of social work plays an important role in the current context of Viet Nam. With the development of social work Viet Nam is able to alleviate poverty, address social problems effectively, promote greater social justice and equality, and respond to other complicated problems that Viet Nam faces. There is an urgent need to develop social work as a profession.”

(Minister of MOLISA, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Da Nang November 2009)

Context of Social Work in Vietnam

1997 early discussions to develop SW in VietnamProgress a little slow! Led somewhat by the international concerns & commitments to child protection issues2004 MOET approved a curriculum for universityMOET, MOLISA & UNICEF commissioned a research study in 2005 the Human Resource and Training Needs for the Development of Social Work in Vietnam (2005)Recommend establishment of Social Work system as a priorityCreated a dilemma – human resources, expertisee, input to the curriculum, lack trained staff knowledge/skills etc.,

BackgroundIn the last decade, Vietnam has experienced rapid economic growth. While new opportunities and economic benefits have improved the lives of many Vietnamese people, there are ever-increasing gaps between the rich and the poor, and between rural and urban populations. A significant proportion of of the economic benefits go to the richest 20% (UNICEF 2005). Many Vietnamese people continue to live in hardship, and a quarter of children under five are malnourished. This has placed unprecedented pressure on families, and thus children. Consequently, social problems such as family breakdown, homelessness, drug use, sexual and economic exploitation, trafficking and violence are on the rise.

This in turn has contributed to an increased number of abandoned, neglected, abused and exploited children. It is estimated that 9 percent of the total child population, or 2.6 million children are in need of special protection. Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (2008)

Economic Growth =

new social problems emerge in tandem with economic growthChange in working patterns, family support, urbanisation etc., have led to a decrease in ability to ‘support socially’

Lack of capacity to care for elderly, sick and/or childrenOften increase in drug & alcohol abuse – leading to increase in domestic violenceChildren, women and PWD often most vulnerable to povertyMigration to cities can create a multitude of problemsHealth issues associated with this include increase in mental health problems i.e. Due to isolation, loneliness and demands of industrial societyIn Vietnam – increase of HIV/AIDS, assoc with men using prostitutes/sex workers and drug misuse

The Reality is that ................many functions of social work have existed in Vietnamese society for years, if not centuries. These functions mainly took the shape of social activities, social mobilization and direct care by volunteers rather than of a professional service with the capacity to respond adequately and systematically to the needs of vulnerable people for prevention, support and protection.

Until now, social work and child protection services have largely been provided by people (often community volunteers), who are either untrained or trained in disciplines other than social work. The services they provide, whether in the community or in institutions, are rarely inspected and monitored and there is little to no supervision and support given to these workers.

Recent DevelopmentsDa Nang ConferenceIn an effort to advocate for the recognition of social work as a profession and to improve the quality of social work education MOLISA, supported by UNICEF, Atlantic Philanthropies, Save the Children Alliance and the Irish Embassy, organised a National Conference on Social Work Development in Da Nang on 3/4 November 2009. A team of international experts in social work were invited to provide technical assistance during the process of preparation and organization of the conference.

OutcomesThere were many recommendations and commitments from the conference but a key one was given by MOLISA (& partners) to support the development of a National Proposal on Social Work and the integration of social work functions in crucial legal and policy documents, including in the field of social protection and, in particular, child protection. In these efforts MOLISA will continue to cooperate with other Ministries that have an important role to play in social work.A cooperative agreement was also signed

Key Conference Recommendations Enhance the understanding and commitment of policy makers, academics, service providers, and other stakeholders for the development of social work in Viet Nam;Facilitate exchange of knowledge, experience and practice among local, national, and international social work professionals;Establish high quality social work education programmes for graduate, post-graduate and vocational levelsStrengthen the capacity of universities and training institutions to effectively implement high quality social work education programmes;

Strengthen the capacity of existing untrained social work “para-professionals” within community and institutional settings, in order for them to provide more professional and effective social work services (on the job training); Develop specific job codes and designated social work positions in a number of agencies and organizations, and develop a comprehensive and effective system of social work services;Increase multi-directional partnerships between international, national, regional, and local efforts in order to further develop and improve social work education, structures and services;Improve professional social work services and social assistance for vulnerable people, by establishing integrated education and cross-sectoral delivery across multiple programmes and populations.

ChallengesQualifying Social Workers need a job code & professional recognition (failure will impede development)

Recognition and employment of qualified social workersThe Social Work model needs to reflect a Vietnamese contextRecognise and address the training needs of the ‘para-professional’ level (unqualified but doing it anyway)Collaborate in a partnership approach to SW development in VietnamRaise the public profile of Social Work in Vietnam (job code should help)

ChallengesDevelop a good model of tertiary social work educationDevelop a model of social work training for those who are currently doing itEnsure participation ot those relevant to social work development on the consultation process for the Strategic plan

UNICEF Viet Nam website (2009) Country Overview at www.unicef.org/vietnam/overviewMinistry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (2008) Report from MOLISA to the Culture and Education Committee for Children and Young People dated October 2008 .Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Canadian International Development Agency and UNICEF Viet Nam (2005) Situation Analysis of Institutional and Alternative Care Programmes in Viet Nam .UNICEF Vietnam (2005) the Human Resource and Training Needs for the Development of Social Work in Vietnam (2005)