Issue 54 (10/2024)
Table of Contents
HUI Chung-shing, Herman, G.B.S., M.H., J.P.
Dear Registered Social Workers,
The Social Workers Registration Ordinance (the "Ordinance"), established to safeguard public interest, has been in effect since its initial enactment on 6 June 1997, and has now been over 27 years. As Hong Kong society continues to evolve, the HKSAR government has timely proposed enhancements to the Ordinance. With the efforts of various sectors, the amendment bill to the Ordinance was passed on 3 July this year and took effect on 5 July, marking the beginning of a new milestone. The social worker registration system has become more refined, with a broader scope of functions, enabling us to adapt to current social conditions, promote professional development in social work, and enhance standards, thereby further safeguarding public interest, which I find very gratifying.
The restructured Board resulting from the amendment continues to maintain majority of registered social workers. I am honored to be appointed as the chairperson of the Board as an independent member. Together with other members from diverse backgrounds (including doctors, lawyers, accountants, and former senior civil servants), we will perform our statutory functions based on professional autonomy and principles prioritizing public interest. After the restructuring, all current members of the Board first addressed several urgent matters that arose during the transition period. To consolidate work across various aspects, the Board has also restructured and established several permanent committees and working groups, including the Committee on Administration, Committee on Professional Conduct, Committee on Qualifications Recognition, and Taskforce on Legal Affairs. Additionally, a Committee on Continuing Professional Development has been formed to begin work on the new function empowered to the Board by the Ordinance regarding the formulation and implementation of continuing professional development for registered social workers.
Looking ahead, I hope that the social work sector can unite its efforts and actively participate in the election for elected Board Members scheduled for mid-December. I encourage more communication with various sectors of society so that the registration board can work hand in hand with all stakeholders to optimize the registration mechanism, revise the code of conduct, and strengthen professional training among other initiatives to jointly promote the development of the social work profession and enhance professional standards for the benefit of our community.
1. Key Points of the Amendment to the Social Workers Registration Ordinance
The amendment to the Social Workers Registration Ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council on 3 July 2024. The major amendment include:
Composition of the Board
The number of members on the registration board increases from 15 to 27, with at least 14 members required to be registered social workers.
Of the 27 members, 8 will continue to be elected from registered social workers; 18 will be appointed by the Chief Executive; and the Director of Social Welfare or his/her representative.
Oath of Member
All Board members must take an oath before assuming office to affirm their support for the Basic Law and loyalty to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
Immediate de-register the registration of social workers convicted of serious offenses
Following the amendment, the board has the authority to immediately de-register the registration of social workers convicted of serious offenses under specified conditions in the Ordinance, without having to wait for annual renewal as was previously required.
Continuing Professional Development
The Board is empowered to establish requirements for continuous professional development.
Code of Practice and Disciplinary Procedures
The effective date of the Code of Practice and the appointment date for Disciplinary Committee Panel Members are clearly specified.
2. List of Board Members, Committee Members and Taskforce Members
List of Board Members for the Current Term
Mr. HUI Chung-shing, Herman, G.B.S., M.H., J.P. (Chairperson)
Miss CHAN Man-yee, Grace (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr. NG Kam-wah, Webster, J.P. (Appointed Member) (Honorary Treasurer)
Mr. FONG Cheung-fat, J.P. (Appointed Member) (Honorary Secretary)
Ms. AU Chor-kwan, Ann, J.P. (Appointed Member)
Miss CHAN Chong-lai (Appointed Member)
Miss CHAN Mei-lan, Anna May, M.H., J.P. (Appointed Member)
Professor CHOW Yin-man, Amy (Appointed Member)
Mr. FAN Hoi-kit, Alex, M.H. (Appointed Member)
Ms. FUNG Shuk-man (Appointed Member)
Mr. LAI Man-lok, Oscar (Elected Member)
Mr. LAI Wing-hoi, Frederick, J.P. (Appointed Member)
Dr. LAU Chung-hang, Kevin, M.H. (Appointed Member)
Mrs. Patricia LAU (Appointed Member)
Mr. LO Wa-kei, Roy (Appointed Member)
Ms. LO Wing-sze, Anthea, B.B.S., J.P. (Appointed Member)
Mr. SIN Yat-kin, S.B.S., C.S.D.S.M., J.P. (Appointed Member)
Ms. TAM Kam-lan, Annie, G.B.S., J.P. (Appointed Member)
Mr. WONG Man-sing, Barry, M.H., J.P. (Appointed Member)
Remark：The 7 elected member positions have become vacant due to the resignation of their predecessors. According to the amended ordinance, there will be no by-election arrangements as a re-election is imminent.
Committee on Administration
Main Functions:
To oversee, propose and review the personnel, financial, publicity and overall administrative matters.
Members:
Mr. LAI Wing-hoi, Frederick, J.P. (Chairperson)
Mr. HUI Chung-shing, Herman, G.B.S., M.H., J.P. (Ex-officio member)
Miss CHAN Man-yee, Grace (Ex-officio member)
Ms. AU Chor-kwan, Ann, J.P.
Mr. FAN Hoi-kit, Alex, M.H.
Mr. FONG Cheung-fat, J.P.
Ms. FUNG Shuk-man
Mr. LAI Man-lok, Oscar
Mrs. Patricia LAU
Mr. NG Kam-wah, Webster, J.P.
Mr. SIN Yat-kin, S.B.S., C.S.D.S.M.,J.P.
Committee on Professional Conduct
Main Functions:
To propose and review the Code of Practice of RSWs and the disciplinary proceedings for handling complaints against RSWs; and to deal with matters in relation to the professional conduct of RSWs.
Members:
Mr. WONG Man-sing, Barry, M.H., J.P. (Chairperson)
Mr. HUI Chung-shing, Herman, G.B.S., M.H., J.P. (Ex-officio member)
Miss CHAN Man-yee, Grace (Ex-officio member)
Ms. AU Chor-kwan, Ann, J.P.
Miss CHAN Chong-lai
Miss CHAN Mei-lan, Anna May, M.H., J.P.
Mr. FAN Hoi-kit, Alex, M.H.
Ms. FUNG Shuk-man
Mr. LAI Man-lok, Oscar
Dr. LAU Chung-hang, Kevin, M.H.
Ms. LO Wing-sze, Anthea, B.B.S., J.P.
Mr. NG Kam-wah, Webster, J.P.
Mr. SIN Yat-kin, S.B.S., C.S.D.S.M.,J.P.
Committee on Continuing Professional Development
Members:
Ms. TAM Kam-lan, Annie, G.B.S., J.P. (Chairperson)
Mr. HUI Chung-shing, Herman, G.B.S., M.H., J.P. (Ex-officio member)
Miss CHAN Man-yee, Grace (Ex-officio member)
Professor CHOW Yin-man, Amy
Ms. FUNG Shuk-man
Dr. LAU Chung-hang, Kevin, M.H.
Committee on Qualification Recognition
Main Functions:
To propose and review Principles, Criteria and Standards for Recognising Qualifications in Social Work; to carry out qualification recognition assessment and reviews as and when necessary; and to deal with matters in relation to qualification assessment.
Members:
Professor CHOW Yin-man, Amy (Chairperson)
Mr. HUI Chung-shing, Herman, G.B.S., M.H., J.P. (Ex-officio member)
Miss CHAN Man-yee, Grace (Ex-officio member)
Dr. AU YEUNG Kwok-wai, Eric (Co-opted member)
Dr. FONG Fu-fai, Steve (Co-opted member)
Ms. FUNG Shuk-man
Professor HUNG Suet-lin (Co-opted member)
Dr. KWAN Chi-kin (Co-opted member)
Dr. LAM King-yee, Vicky (Co-opted member)
Professor Janet LEUNG (Co-opted member)
Ms. TAM Kam-lan, Annie, G.B.S., J.P.
Ms. TSOI Man-yu (Co-opted member)
Dr. WOO Chi-wood (Co-opted member)
Election Committee
Members:
Miss CHAN Mei-lan, Anna May, M.H., J.P. (Chairperson)
Mr. LAI Wing-hoi, Frederick, J.P.
Dr. LO Tak-lam, William
Task Force on Legal Affairs
Members:
Mr. FAN Hoi-kit, Alex, M.H. (Chairperson)
Mr. HUI Chung-shing, Herman, G.B.S., M.H., J.P. (Ex-officio member)
Miss CHAN Man-yee, Grace (Ex-officio member)
Miss CHAN Mei-lan, Anna May, M.H., J.P.
Mr. FONG Cheung-fat, J.P.
Ms. FUNG Shuk-man
Mr. LAI Wing-hoi, Frederick, J.P.
Dr. LAU Chung-hang, Kevin, M.H.
Mr. WONG Man-sing, Barry, M.H., J.P.
3. Election of Board Members
Background and Overview
The current term of the elected members of the Social Workers Registration Board will expire on 15 January 2025. According to the Ordinance, the Board consists of 27 members, of which 8 RSW members are elected by RSWs.
In the fact that under the past postal plus on-site physical voting, quite a number of ballot papers were received after the vote counting was completed, hence they became void; furthermore, there were no assurances that under the postal voting, the voters were exercising their voting right themselves. To better the arrangement, the Board has revised the Rules for Election of Board Members and adopt the on-site physical voting system.
The voting day will be 14 December with polling stations set up in Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories to facilitate registered social workers in each district to cast their votes. The addresses of the three polling stations are as follows:
Hong Kong Island Polling Station
Hong Kong Red Cross Training and Service Centre, Shops 1 & 2, UG/F, East Town Building, 16 Fenwick Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
By MTR: 4-minute walk from Exit C of Wanchai Station (https://maps.app.goo.gl/xUGkk1msTxjsbEh68)
Kowloon Polling Station
Hong Kong Playground Association - Talent Development and Exchange Centre, 3rd Floor, MacPherson Stadium, 38 Nelson Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
By MTR
(1)：about 5-minute walk from Exit E2 of Mong Kong Station (https://maps.app.goo.gl/kKg5z2ZKht8UUtTo7)
(2)：about 5-minute walk from Mong Kong East Station （https://maps.app.goo.gl/zkkqZi3xbtxbSsfYA）
New Territories Polling Station
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Hong Kong & Kowloon Electrical Appliances Merchants Association School, 2 Chi Cheong Road, Sheung Shui, New Territories
By MTR：about 6-minute walk from Exit B2 of Sheung Shui Station
（https://maps.app.goo.gl/e4KVDz56vFth39GG6 ）
For more details about the election, please refer to the dedicated page set up by the Board: https://www.swrb.org.hk/en/Content.asp?Uid=149
1. Qualification Recognition Review
The Board is currently conducting qualification review for five social work qualifications during 2024 to 2025 academic year. For details regarding future assessment years and results for other reviews, please visit https://www.swrb.org.hk/en/qa_schedule.asp.
2. Promotion Work
In the past six months, staff from the Board office have introduced the board's functions to social work students at institutions through either virtual meetings or in-person visits. The Board has also hosted visiting groups from the mainland.
Talks for local students：
- Hong Kong Baptist University (140 students)
- The University of Hong Kong (50 students)
- St Francis University (200 students)
- School of Professional and Continuing Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, (100 students)
- UOW College Hong Kong(240 students)
- Hong Kong College of Technology (60 students)
- YMCA College of Careers (40 students)
- City University of Hong Kong (40 students)
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (100 students)
- Hong Kong Nang Yan College (35 students)
- Hong Kong Community College, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (50 students)
- Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Sha Tin) of the Vocational Training Council (60 students)
Total：1,115 students
Introducing the new Assistant Registrar
I am Jerry Kok, and I joined the Social Workers Registration Board this October as Assistant Registrar. Prior to this role, I worked in various public and professional organisations, focusing on higher, professional, and vocational education, as well as training and assessments. My expertise includes quality assurance, education management, professional qualification training, and examination processes. I have also supported several committees in the implementation and revision of policies and procedures.
Reflecting on my participation in an intercultural exchange programme during secondary school, I vividly recall my one-year stay in a third-world country, where I witnessed the struggles faced by underprivileged communities. Despite differences in race and culture, this experience profoundly impacted me, revealing the many individuals in society who require assistance. Inspired by this, I chose to study public administration at university, aspiring to use my professional knowledge to help the public, much like social workers, by addressing societal hardships.
I later pursued a Master's degree in quantitative analysis for business, where I developed my skills in using data-driven frameworks for policymaking and decision analysis. Looking ahead, I am eager to leverage my experience to support the Board in fulfilling its statutory duties by maintaining oversight of social workers' professional standards and ensuring the quality of their training programmes through regulatory mechanisms, so that the interests of both service users and the public are protected.
（as at 4 October 2024）
Registered Social Workers
Total Number of RSWs： 28,724
Gender Distribution：
- Male：9,114 (31.72%)
- Female：19,609 (68.26%)
Qualification for Registration：
- Recognized degree：19,859 (69.13%)
- Recognized diploma：8,787 (30.59%)
- Possess social work experience that fulfills the requirement of the Ordinance：59 (0.2%)
- Not holding recognized social work qualification, but currently occupied or has been accepted for a social work post：19 (0.06%)
Statistics on Complaint Cases (since establishment)
Total cases received：779
Total cases for disciplinary inquiry：167
Total established cases：46