Concept Paper on “Tamilnadu Council for Professional Social Work”

1. R. Narasimham Chairman, Expert Committee for Developing courses in Rehab Social Work, Vocational Rehab & Allied subjects – (Rehabilitation Council of India) Concept Paper on “Tamilnadu Council for Professional Social Work” PSWC & RSW for Educators

2. Introduction The author of this concept paper is an active participant of a statutory Council, namely Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) that has been set up by an Act of Parliament to regulate the professionals dealing with disabilities in India. He is also the Chairman of the Committee responsible for preparing curriculum and standards for the professions such as Rehabilitation Social Worker, Vocational Counselor etc… Incidentally, none of the Social Workers here including the Author is qualified to register with this councilIt is illegal to work with the disabled without possessing a qualification recognized by RCI. The Author is registered as a Vocational Rehab Expert in view of his length of service. PSWC & RSW for Educators

3. Rehabilitation Council of India • Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) is the only organization of its kind throughout the world which is regulating training programs ranging right from grass root level to the top professional levels in the field of Rehabilitation of persons with disability in addition to developing and standardizing the Training Programs. • Working with Persons with Disabilities is not legal, without registration with RCI • There are No Schools of Social Work specializing on Disabilities except, one Institute in Tiruchi, providing Courses that enable registration as Rehabilitation Social Worker. • The Second Institution - TISS has started M.A in Disability Studies. The first batch came out this year. • It is reported all have found jobs mainly in Corporate Sector PSWC & RSW for Educators

4. Rehabilitation Council of India Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) is the only organization of its kind throughout the world which is regulating training programs ranging right from grass root level to the top professional levels in the field of Rehabilitation of persons with disability in addition to developing and standardizing the Training Programs. About 348 institutions are approved by RCI for conducting 53 types of different courses. it is found that majority of these institutions (76.9%) are managed by NGOs . There is only one Institute in the country (Tiruchi) providing Courses that enable registration as Rehabilitation Social Worker. The Second Institution - TISS has started M.A in Disability Studies. The first batch came out this year. It is reported all have found jobs mainly in Corporate Sector PSWC & RSW for Educators

5. Rehabilitation Social Worker • Immediately there is a shortage of over 10,000 Rehab Social Workers and related Professionals. This could increase by 2016 in view of different social and material changes that occur • There is need to impress upon Schools of Social Work, including our Alumni to start courses immediately. Syllabus designed by RCI is available. Any School of Social Work can start. • The other & important topic of the day is the constitution of TN PSWC PSWC & RSW for Educators

6. Projected figures of Manpower with current pace by 2017 • During the year 2007, it was found that 19,587 personnel are available under different categories defined by RCI. • This figure will increase up to 43,528 by the end of the year 2012 • will further increase up to 77,812 by the end of the 12th Plan period., i.e. 2017 • Requirement???? Source: Institute of Applied Manpower Research Report 2009 PSWC & RSW for Educators

7. Analysis of IAMR Report on RSW • In addition to the areas of Vocational & Economic Rehabilitation requirement RSW s are needed at other levels such as: • Prevention & Early intervention • Education & Skill Training for economic rehab: (at Schools for the different categories of the disabled) and inclusive schools – to work with the parents, teachers and persons with disabilities • The requirements of these personnel are estimated based on the norm that on an average one professional is needed for five thousand disabled. • About 80 per cent of them should have Post graduate Degree level qualification and remaining 20 per cent may have undergraduate & Diploma level qualification. Based on this exercise, it is estimated that about 4,418 Rehabilitation Social Workers are needed at present. The table on next page presents the estimate of their requirement by year and level of education. PSWC & RSW for Educators

8. Community based rehabilitation is a largely accepted approach for rehabilitation. These personnel are trained with various skills. Their services are useful for those who are living in rural and remote areas where there is no institutional arrangement for helping the disabled. Estimates of their requirement are based on the norm that there should be at least one CBR worker in each block of every district. It is estimated that about 4000 such workers are needed at present. CBR Professionals PSWC & RSW for Educators

9. Status of Social work Professionals PSWC & RSW for Educators

10. More to come • Proposal has been mooted to open Disability Cells in all the Universities. UGC has already issued such orders and has started financing the Special Cells. These Cells not only focus on Manpower development in the field of disabilities but function as Facilitation Centres for all services to the PwD, such as admissions, access, barrier free services and other concessions. • There are at present over 500 universities and the HRD Minister plans to have 1500 universities by 2020. • Who else other than Rehab Social Worker can provide facilitating services? • Other Professionals especially those with PG in Single Disability have started occupying these positions • This in addition to the Shortfall mentioned earlier. • The Schools of Social Work should prepare themselves to start courses in Rehab Social Work to meet this shortage PSWC & RSW for Educators

11. Tamilnadu Council for Professional Social Workers PSWC & RSW for Educators

12. What went into the Draft The Author studied different legislations covering different professions such as Medical, Rehabilitation and others including the action taken earlier in developing similar Bills. He took the draft bill for “Maharashtra Council for Professional Social Work” as base and used all of them to bring out a Draft TN Council for Social Work incorporating as far as possible all the good things from these papers PSWC & RSW for Educators

13. Introduction • Social work is a profession based on science and art of human relations and skills in relationship with the target group i.e., the clients (individuals, communities). • Social work education in the Indian schools of Social Work have featured concurrent periods of practice during which the student learns the craft of social work by practicing under supervision in caring services organizations, generally known as Field Work Practice. • The word “Social Work” is the most disabused expression, denoting everybody in the ‘not – elsewhere – classified’ group. PSWC & RSW for Educators

14. National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) 2005 • Prepare qualified social work personnel and provide continuing education to them for social work practice, administration (management), education, training and research. • Undertake field action projects for demonstration of the role of social work professionals and innovative social work practice, administration (management), training and practice-based research and provide fieldwork placement to students. • Develop and disseminate knowledge for evidence-based social work practice, administration (management), education, training and research. • Provide consultation on social work, welfare and development policies and programs, teaching and research, to the voluntary, government, international and other academic organizations; and strengthen professional associations in social work. • Promote an egalitarian, participatory and democratic educational system. operationalisation of this mission:“THE TAMILNADU COUNCIL FOR PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK” PSWC & RSW for Educators

15. Objectives • Develop, promote and maintain minimum standards • Promote quality standards in social work education, quality of human resources, ensure professionalism • Make the profession more accountable to all its stakeholders and the civil society. • Regulation of standards for social work education, and, thereby, practice through recognition/ de-recognition of the social work education programs and courses • Registration/ deregistration of professional social workers. PSWC & RSW for Educators

16. Functions • Academic Functions • Administrative Functions • Promotion and Regulation of Standards • Registration of Professional Social Workers • Redressal of Grievances and De-registration of Professional Social Workers • Non-regulatory Development Functions • Planning for Social Work Human Resources • Data Management • Liaising at State, national and International levels for the uplift of the profession • Recognition Of Institutions Offering Social Work Education Program/ Courses • Permission for a New Course or Training by a Recognized Institution PSWC & RSW for Educators

17. Constitution of TNPSWC • Chairperson of the Rank of Vice Chancellor • Vice – chairperson of the Rank of Pro Vice Chancellor (Qualifications of the Chair and Vice-Chair - Masters degree in social work and a doctoral degree, or research publications, or substantial contribution to the field of social work; and An eminent head or former head of a recognized Social Work Education Program in Tamilnadu (preferably from a NAAC-accredited (B and above) college or university) and Not an officer of the government of India or any State Government. • Seven social work educators • Four professional social work practitioners • Five ex-officio members, not below the rank of Secretary, to represent the concerned departments of the Government of Tamilnadu • Not more than 3 members co-opted by the Council • Two invitees from the professional social work associations Not less than 50% of the Council would be from Women professionals PSWC & RSW for Educators

18. Responsibilities ? A few are enumerated: • Minimum and quality standards for Social Work Education Programs; • Procedure for recognition and registration of Social Work Education Programs and Courses; • Procedure for reciprocity and equivalence of Professional Social Work Qualifications; • Procedure for registration of professional social workers; • Procedures For Redress of Grievances, Appeals, Suspension and Deregistration of social work education programs, professional social workers, • Appointment of Expert Panels and Committees. • It would not be legal to work as Professional Social Worker in Tamilnadu without Registration with TNPSWC • TNPSWC will work out modalities of persons graduating from universities outside Tamilnadu. PSWC & RSW for Educators

19. Thank You I do not propose anything at this point, except kindle your curiosity. Go through the note circulated and send your comments. We are looking forward to large participation of all stake holders with reference to the Council on one hand and Introduction of courses on Rehabilitation Social work in the Schools for Social Work PSWC & RSW for Educators

20. But then, When opportunity knocks, don’t be out looking for a 4 – leaf Clover. Think & let us work together PSWC & RSW for Educators

21. Please send your comments to the PSWA or to R. Narasimham Consultant (Vocational Rehabilitation & Livelihood Programs) No 5, Gokulam Colony, West Mambalam Chennai - 600033 Phone: 044 – 42614181 Mobile: 9840714181 Email: rnsimham@gmail.com Website: www.aidthedisabled.org www.PSWA.org PSWC & RSW for Educators