Good governance and reform can preserve voice of Hong Kong social welfare
- Shake-up of board overseeing registration and discipline of Hong Kong social workers need not undermine independence, but should enhance professionalism and accountability
Hong Kong’s new political and social order continues to drive reform across different spheres, the latest being that of social workers.
The revamp involves boosting the number of appointees to a statutory board overseeing registration and disciplinary matters in the profession, a step that the government says is necessary to improve governance.
The changes should be handled carefully, taking into account professionalism and the public interest.
Under the proposals, appointed board members will jump from six to 17, outnumbering the elected ones, which remain at eight. The ex officio seats for the Social Welfare Department will increase from one to two.
Members also have to take an oath of allegiance to the city and uphold the Basic Law, and map out continuing professional development requirements for the sector.
The regulator overseeing the city’s 27,000 social workers also will be empowered to promptly deregister those convicted of serious offences, including endangering national security, ill-treatment of a child, rape or murder.
There is currently no mechanism to swiftly remove a convicted social worker, who may continue to work until their registration is up for renewal.