Social Dimension Singapore

Practice Research in Social Work: To what end?

By Assoc Prof Timothy Sim

 

This article is developed from the keynote speech delivered for the Singapore Association of Social Workers’ Day celebration on 23^rd March 2013, with the aim to review the need for social workers to conduct practice research in social work. It begins by reviewing the development of evidence-based social work and the controversies involved. In response to the difficulties and controversies of evidence-based social work, the paper turns to the alternatives provided by practice-based evidence. This paper concludes by persuading Singapore social workers to carry out practice research by embracing both evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence so as to serve our clients more adequately and continue to learn and grow professionally.

 

Outstanding Social Worker Awards - Calling for Nominations

 

The Singapore Association is currently calling for nominations for the upcoming Outstanding Social Worker and Promising Social Worker Award ceremony to be held in the Istana in October 2013. 

To find out more, download our brochure

Download OSWA 2013 Brochure

 

Download a nomination form here: 

Download OSWA 2013 Nomination Form - (NOMINATOR)

All nominations must reach the SASW Secretariat via Fax 6778 0609 or email [email protected]  by 15 August 2013. 

We look forward to your nominations!

The Context of Social Welfare in Hong Kong: History, Economics, and Politics

 By Ng Guat Tin, PhD

 
Assistant Professor,

Department of Applied Social Sciences

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

email: [email protected]

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

During my current stint of teaching in Hong Kong I have received various enquiries from Singapore delegations and individual social workers regarding social services and social work education in Hong Kong. An often heard expression is that “Social work in Hong Kong is more dynamic than in Singapore.” I do not know if anyone has sought to measure or compare professional dynamism but certainly the number of registered social workers in Hong Kong is impressive, when compared to Singapore: 17,615[1] as of 18 April 2013 (http://www.swrb.org.hk). However, not all of them were practising social work, as the social work manpower requirements system indicated smaller staff strength of only 12,011[2] as at 31 March 2011 (Joint Committee on Social Work Manpower Requirements, 2011).