Social workers : The Government wants to restore order

The Government is seeking to restore order to the social worker sector. The decree regulating this profession was adopted by the last Government Council. It is the brainchild of Awatif Hyyar, Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family Affairs. The piece of legislation aims to modernize the system for taking care of others, in application of Law 45.18. The legislation includes a number of provi-sions, including those relating to the procedures for obtaining and issuing accreditation to practice this profession. As a reminder, the number of social workers in the public and private sectors is estimated at almost 35,000, 57% of whom are women. According to the line ministry estimates, this figure is set to rise to 45,000 by 2025.

Law 45.18 on the organization of the social work profession refers to regulatory texts that specify the professional categories and branches included in each field of social work. They also set out the conditions, procedures and list of certificates and diplomas required to apply for approval to practice the profession of social worker. The same applies to the procedures for granting authorization to foreign social workers wishing to practice this profession in Morocco, reads the text’s introductory note.
The document outlines the standard status of professional associations representing social workers, in addition to the conditions and procedures for granting authorization to persons exercising a professional activity, on the date the law comes into force.

This is why, in application of the provisions of this law, and in order to complete the system of care for others, the text was prepared using a participatory approach which was embodied in meetings with the various players involved in the study launched by the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family Affairs to determine the technical content needed to implement the articles of this law.
The decree includes general provisions and some relating to the procedures for obtaining accreditation. Other provisions relate to transitional measures for the issue of accreditation. It also identifies the professional categories and branches included in each field of social work. These include social assistance, animation, and social education. Added to this are family and social assistance professions, including social development management. A long list is appended to this decree.

M.C.