President Ruto signs bill that establishes Institute of Social Work Professionals

President William Ruto has assented the Social Work Professionals Bill that establishes the Institute of Social Work Professionals and the Social Work Professionals Board.

The bill sponsored by Kaiti Member of Parliament (MP) Joshua Kivinda Kimilu outlines requirements for training, registration, qualifications, and issuance of practising certificates, so that only qualified and licensed professionals can work as social workers.

The new framework is designed to regulate the standards, practice, and professional conduct of social workers in Kenya.

The legislation also sets up an Examination Board responsible for prescribing and regulating the syllabus for professional examinations, while promoting recognition of Kenyan social work qualifications both locally and internationally.

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Under the new law, anyone seeking to practice as a social work professional must register with the Registration Committee and meet the qualifications outlined in the Act, which include being of good conduct and holding a recognized certificate, diploma, or degree in social work.

The Institute shall establish, monitor and publish the standards of professional competence and practice amongst social work professionals, register persons who meet the required professional and ethics standards.

It will also promote research in social work practice and related matters, publish books, periodicals, journals and articles on social work and hold examinations and prescribe tests of competency deemed appropriate to qualify for membership and certification by the Institute and advise the Examinations Board on matters relating to examination standards and policies.

By Obegi Malack