Non-governmental organisations that provide support services to vulnerable groups have criticised a section of the Bill to amend the Social Work Act, saying it will stop them from employing newly qualified social work graduates.
The same point was made by the Maltese Association for Social Workers (MASW) in a separate statement.
Tthe Bill currently before Parliament, says that in order to obtain a warrant, social work graduates will have to work as social workers for two years full-time or six years part-time with a government agency.
It is understood that the government is considering changes after the controversy erupted.
"If the amendment Bill is approved as it is, NGOs will find it practically impossible to employ new social work graduates since new graduates will have to enter state employment in order to get their warrant," the NGOs said.
If the amendment Bill is approved as it is, NGOs will find it practically impossible to employ new social work graduates
Such a situation was untenable because after being employed by a state agency for two years, it was unlikely that a social worker would want to leave a secure public sector job to work with an NGO that depends on charitable donations and public funding.
Furthermore, Social Work graduates who wished to work with an NGO rather than with the state would be unable to make such a choice.
"Even young priests and nuns who graduate in social work (there are a few already) will have to work with a state agency rather than their religious orders in order to be granted a warrant to practice," the NGOs said.
"What is most worrying to NGOs is that the proposed Bill will definately result in the de-professionalization of NGOs. NGOs will be reduced to working with non-professional workers, thus lowering standards of professional services to the thousands of vulnerable service users that they currently serve or to wind down the services they currently provide. If this happens, the government will have to substantially increase its poverty and social inclusion budget to ensure the thousands NGOs serve remain entitled to access support services."
The statement was signed by Aditus, the Anti-Poverty Forum Malta (APF), the Church Schools Association, the Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), Dar Merħba Bik Foundation, Foundation for Shelter and Support to Migrants, Hospice Malta, Inspire, Migrant Women Association Malta, Platform for Human Rights Organisations Malta, Richmond Foundation, St Jeanne Antide Foundation, St Joseph Home MSSP, Salesians of Don Bosco, Secretariat for Catholic Education, SOS Malta, Ursuline Sisters and Victim Support Malta.
AUTONOMY OF PROFESSION 'SERIOUSLY JEOPARDISED' - SOCIAL WORKERS
The MASW noted that the autonomy of the profession was being seriously jeapordised as choices were being limited and non-governmental entities would be negatively affected.
"Through this proposed amendment, NGOs which are giving their services in various specialised areas in the community will be faced with even greater difficulties than they already face to employ social workers, thus impacting their ability to provide essential services to their service users.
"This may also push NGOs towards employing non-professional staff or other graduates to carry out social work, thus diminishing the quality of the social work service provided to service users," the association warned.
It appealed to the government to stop the current debate in Parliament and amend the Bill in the interest of the profession.
Minister urged to hold consultation
The Department of Social Policy and Social Work at the University said it was also seriously concerned about this provision of the Bill.
"We have always fully supported the requirement of two years of supervised practice as a condition for obtaining the warrant. This system has worked well since June 2004 when the law first came into effect. What we object to is the proposal that these two years can only take place in a Government agency and not in Non-Governmental Organisations or private agencies," the department said.
"A welfare sector that truly responds to different individuals’ needs and choices requires a broad range of service providers, amongst which the NGOs play an essential role. This measure proposed in Article 3 would dry up the supply of newly graduated social workers to NGOs because they would not be able to obtain a warrant if they take up employment in an NGO, even if they go on to practise in that NGO for a number of years.
"As educators we are also concerned about possible repercussions that this might have on the availability of sufficient and diverse practice learning experiences that are integral to the formation of professional social workers. Furthermore, such a decision would deny new graduates who actually want to work in NGOs the possibility of doing so, unless they are willing to sacrifice the acquisition of their warrant."
GOVERNMENT WILLING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS
In a statement the ministry said the current law already said that to obtain a warrant, social work graduates would have to work under supervision for two years before being given a warrant.
It said that the minister declared in Parliament yesterday that the government was willing to listen to all suggestions and the bill would be amended as necessary in committee stage.