Regulations on the practicing social work in Vietnam from October 15, 2024

Regulations on the practicing social work in Vietnam from October 15, 2024 (Image from the internet)

On August 30, 2024, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree 110/2024/ND-CP on social work, which includes regulations on the rights and obligations of social work practitioners effective from October 15, 2024.

Regulations on the practicing social work in Vietnam from October 15, 2024

Article 35 of Decree 110/2024/ND-CP stipulates social work practice in Vietnam as follows:

(1) Applicants for a certificate of social work practice registration must participate in social work practice as stipulated in (2), except for cases where a competent foreign authority or organization has issued a social work practice license.

(2) social work practice must adhere to the following principles:

- Compatible with the awarded professional degree,

- Conducted at units or establishments providing social work services (social assistance establishments, rehabilitation facilities, medical facilities, educational institutions, and other establishments as prescribed by law) with a professional scope suitable for the practice content.

- The practice duration for a university degree or higher is at least 12 months, for a college degree at least 9 months, and for an intermediate degree at least 6 months, at an establishment providing social work services.

- Practitioners must comply with the assignments and guidance of the practice instructor and respect the rights and obligations of the individuals using social work services.

Regulations on the Certificate of social work Practice Registration in Vietnam

- social work practitioners are issued one certificate of social work practice registration.

- The issued certificate is valid nationwide and has a validity period of 5 years.

- The certificate of social work practice registration includes the following basic information:

+ Full name; date, month, year of birth; nationality; personal identification number or ID card number, passport number.

+ Content of social work practice.

+ Validity period of the certificate of social work practice registration.

+ Status of the certificate of social work practice registration (new issuance, re-issuance).

- The form of the certificate of social work practice registration is according to Form No. 06 in the Appendix issued with Decree 110/2024/ND-CP.

(Article 38 of Decree 110/2024/ND-CP)

Conditions for social work Practice in Vietnam from October 15, 2024

Specifically, Vietnamese citizens residing in Vietnam, foreigners, overseas Vietnamese complying with the Constitution and laws of Vietnam who have good ethical quality, and meet the conditions specified in Article 31 of Decree 110/2024/ND-CP are eligible to practice social work, specifically:

- Graduated from intermediate, college, university, postgraduate in social work, sociology, psychology, special education or other social science majors as prescribed by law.

- Ensure health for social work practice.

- Not falling under the following cases and other cases as prescribed by law on administrative violation handling:

+ Individuals convicted but not yet having their criminal records expunged.

+ Subjected to administrative measures such as compulsory education at educational institutions, compulsory detoxification centers, reformatory schools, or education in wards, communes, township-level towns.

+ Under criminal investigation.

+ Incapacitated for civil acts or cognitive control, or having limited civil act capacity and other cases as prescribed by law.

- Possessing a valid certificate of social work practice registration issued by a competent state authority.

(Article 31 of Decree 110/2024/ND-CP)

06 Prohibited Acts in social work in Vietnam

(1) Providing, disclosing, destroying personal information, data of subjects without their consent or permission from their guardians or representatives unless required by competent authorities as prescribed by law.

(2) Refusing to provide social work services to subjects in urgent need of protection, except for force majeure circumstances as prescribed by law.

(3) Exploiting social work services for profiteering or committing violations of the law.

(4) Exploiting social work practice to benefit from policies and support from the state, organizations, and individuals.

(5) Collecting fees or benefits beyond the agreed-upon remuneration and costs with organizations or individuals in the social work service provision contract, unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties.

(6) Exploiting social work practice and service provision to infringe upon the interests of the State, rights, and legal interests of organizations and individuals.

(Article 10 of Decree 110/2024/ND-CP)

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