Decree No. 110/2024/NĐ-CP on Social Work

DECREE

ON SOCIAL WORK

On the basis of Law on Government Organization dated June 19, 2015;  November 22, 2019; November 22, 2019;

On the basis of Law on the Elderly November 23, 2009;

On the basis of Law on Persons with Disabilities June 17, 2010;

On the basis of Law on Adoption June 17, 2010;

On the basis of Law on Children April 5, 2016;

On the basis of Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence November 14, 2022;

Decree No. 07/2021/NĐ-CP

The Government issues this Decree on social work.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Decree stipulates the rights and obligations of social work subjects; the rights and obligations of social workers; conditions for registering to practice social work; practicing social work; authority, documents, procedures for issuing, reissuing, and revoking certificates of registration for social work practice.

Article 2. Applicability

This Decree applies to persons engaged in social work, social workers; agencies, organizations, individuals within Vietnam and foreign individuals in Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as organizations and individuals); individuals, groups, families, and communities implementing activities related to social work in Vietnam.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Decree, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Social work is an activity supporting individuals, groups, families, and communities in addressing social issues.

2. Social work subjects are individuals, groups, families, and communities that have a need for social work services (hereinafter referred to as subjects).

3. Social work services are services provided by organizations and individuals meeting the conditions for providing social work activities aimed at assisting in resolving social issues of individuals, groups, families, and communities.

4. Professional ethics of social work are ethical standards that social work practitioners must adhere to during the course of their professional activities.

5. Practicing social work refers to professional, direct specialized activities (activities such as prevention, intervention, therapy, care, rehabilitation, support for development, counseling, consultation, psychological support for social work subjects) carried out by social work practitioners authorized by competent authorities to issue certificates of registration for social work practice.

6. Certificate of Registration for Social Work Practice is a document issued by state agencies with competent authority to persons who meet the conditions for registering to practice social work in accordance with this Decree (hereinafter referred to as certificate of registration for social work practice).

7. Confidentiality of social work subjects includes privacy confidentiality, personal confidentiality, family confidentiality as prescribed by civil laws and case management file confidentiality.

8. Social work in the judicial field is the application of social work theories, principles, and methods to contribute to protecting the rights and legitimate interests of subjects during the judicial process.

Article 4. Functions of social work

Social work has the function of supporting prevention; intervention, therapy; supporting recovery and development of subjects to ensure social welfare and build happiness for people; contributing to ensuring the realization of rights, human dignity, value of individuals, social justice and equality according to the law.

Article 5. Principles of social work

1. Respecting and promoting the right to choose, the right to decide without discrimination based on values, beliefs, thoughts, and life of subjects and not affecting the rights and legitimate interests of others.

2. Promoting full participation of subjects by helping them make decisions and resolve issues affecting their lives.

3. Focusing on strengths, utilizing existing resources of subjects to promote empowerment.

4. Being responsible for professional social work activities, ensuring that subjects receive appropriate and quality social work services.

5. Promoting social equity, ensuring fair and transparent provision of resources according to the needs of subjects.

6. Respecting diversity, not discriminating against ability, age, gender, marital status, economic and social status, skin color, ethnicity, region, nationality, political views, religious beliefs, and health characteristics of subjects.

7. Ensuring that all decisions made are in the best interest of subjects.

Article 6. State policy on social work

1. The State plays a leading role in developing the system of public social service facilities in accordance with economic and social conditions and the state budget capacity at each period.

2. Promote socialization in social work; encourage organizations and individuals to invest in developing the system of social service facilities and participate in providing social services.

3. Develop human resources for social work, especially in areas with difficult economic and social conditions.

Article 7. Persons Engaged in Social Work

Persons engaged in social work include those in the following categories:

1. Civil servants, public officials, and workers engaged in social work in state management agencies and public service units.

2. Persons engaged in social work in units and facilities providing social services in various fields such as society, health, education, judiciary, detention centers, correctional schools, and other fields as prescribed by law.

3. Persons engaged in social work in political-social organizations, occupational associations, non-governmental organizations, associations, enterprises, and other organizations as prescribed by law.

4. Independent persons engaged in social work.

Article 8. Social Services

Social services include one or more of the following services:

1. Provision of emergency protection services

a) Assessing risk factors, needs of the subject; screening and classifying subjects. In necessary cases, transfer the subject to healthcare facilities, educational institutions, police agencies, or other appropriate agencies and organizations.

b) Ensuring safety and meeting urgent needs of the subject regarding medical care, safe temporary accommodation, drinking water, food, essential clothing, and transportation.

2. Provision of care, intervention, rehabilitation, and development support services

a) Assessing needs, screening, and classifying subjects; establishing case management files.

b) Counseling, advising, psychological support, and mental recovery for the subject.

c) Treating mental disorders, trauma therapy, crisis mental recovery, and physical rehabilitation.

d) Intervening, protecting, caring for, rehabilitating, and supporting the development of subjects.

đ) Developing and implementing intervention assistance plans; monitoring, reviewing, and evaluating intervention activities and adjusting plans accordingly.

e) Concluding intervention support plans, storing case management files, or implementing new intervention assistance plans (if the subject has a need).

g) Managing, caring for, and nurturing subjects.

h) Connecting to provide medical treatment and health care services; transferring subjects to social service facilities or other facilities to meet their needs.

i) Organizing activities for functional recovery, cultural, sports, religious, and other activities suitable for age and health.

k) Organizing cultural education, vocational guidance, vocational training, livelihood creation, and employment to assist subjects in physical, intellectual, personality development, and community integration.

l) Supporting subjects to benefit from social welfare policies; seeking and arranging appropriate care forms.

3. Provision of social education and capacity-building services

a) Providing social education services, developing self-resolution abilities, parenting education; life skills training for children and minors.

b) Training, enhancing, and conducting workshops on social work for civil servants, public officials, social work staff, and volunteers.

c) Organizing training courses and seminars to provide knowledge and skills for target groups with needs.

4. Provision of preventive services against subjects falling into difficult circumstances, abuse, exploitation; school violence, gender and family violence; mistreatment and labor exploitation.

5. Implementation of activities providing social services in the fields of health, education, judiciary, courts, social welfare, gender equality, child protection, elderly care, disability care, poverty reduction, drug prevention and control, community development, social work with workers, and other fields as prescribed by law.

6. Case management of subjects using social services at facilities and in communities.

7. Community Development Support

a) Contacting people and local authorities to identify community issues to develop assistance programs and plans.

b) Proposing social work mechanisms, policies, and solutions to competent agencies.

c) Building networks of social work staff, volunteers, and volunteers.

d) Organizing communication activities to raise awareness about social work.

8. Supporting eligible subjects to leave social assistance facilities, detention centers, drug rehabilitation centers, and medical facilities to return home, integrate into the community, and stabilize their lives.

9. Organizing resource mobilization for social work activities.

Article 9. Social work service provision process

The social work service provision process for beneficiaries includes the following steps:

1. Step 1. Receiving, collecting information, and assessing the beneficiary's assistance needs.

a) Collecting basic information about the beneficiary, their family, and relatives, information about the guardian or caregiver, and other related information of the beneficiary (if any).

b) Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the beneficiary's assistance needs (in priority order).

c) Organizing screening and classification of beneficiaries.

2. Step 2. Developing an assistance plan for the beneficiary.

a) Developing an assistance plan suitable for the beneficiary and their needs.

b) Leading and coordinating with the beneficiary and relevant organizations and individuals to establish specific goals, activity contents, timeframes, resources for implementing the assistance plan.

c) Establishing management files for each beneficiary.

3. Step 3. Implementing the assistance plan for the beneficiary.

4. Step 4. Monitoring, reviewing, evaluating, and adjusting the assistance plan.

5. Step 5. Concluding the assistance process and archiving files.

Article 10. Prohibited Acts

1. Providing, publishing, disclosing, or destroying personal information and data of the beneficiary without their consent or that of the guardian or representative, except when required by authorized agencies or individuals according to the law.

2. Refusing to provide social work services to beneficiaries requiring urgent protection, except in cases of force majeure as stipulated by law.

3. Exploiting the provision of social work services for personal gain or engaging in actions that violate the law.

4. Exploiting social work practice to obtain benefits from state policies and support from organizations and individuals.

5. Collecting fees or benefits outside the agreed remuneration and costs in the social work service provision contract, unless otherwise agreed by both parties.

6. Exploiting social work practice and social work service provision to infringe upon national interests, rights, and legitimate interests of organizations and individuals.

Chapter II

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF SOCIAL WORK BENEFICIARIES

Section 1

RIGHTS OF SOCIAL WORK BENEFICIARIES

Article 11. Right to consult and be advised on the use of social work services

1. Being informed, consulted, advised, and guided on social work needs, methods, and appropriate social work services.

2. Using social work services suitable to the beneficiary's conditions and circumstances and the actual conditions of social work service providers.

Article 12. Right to privacy confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality of management file information during the use of social work services, except where the beneficiary consents to sharing information as prescribed by law or where there is a written request from an authorized agency for access to the file to perform tasks as prescribed by law.

Article 13. Right to respect dignity and protection during the use of social work services

1. Not being discriminated against, abused, exploited, or coerced into using services.

2. Being respected regarding age, gender, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, health status, economic condition, social status, and other personal characteristics.

Article 14. Right to choose social work services

1. The right to choose social work services that meet their needs.

2. To have a representative or guardian during the use of social work services in accordance with civil law regulations.

Article 15. Right to be provided with information

1. The right to be provided with their case management files upon written request.

2. The right to detailed guidance on social work services when requested.

Article 16. Right to refuse social work services and leave the service-providing facility

1. The right to refuse social work services if they are not suitable.

2. The right to leave the social work service-providing facility in accordance with the law.

Article 17. Rights of minors, persons without civil capacity, and persons with difficulties in understanding and controlling their behavior, or limited civil capacity to use social work services

1. Minors, persons without civil capacity, and persons with difficulties in understanding and controlling their behavior, or limited civil capacity must have a representative or guardian as prescribed by law to decide on the use of social work services for them.

2. In emergency situations, to promptly protect the lives and health of minors, persons without civil capacity, and persons with difficulties in understanding and controlling their behavior, or limited civil capacity, the head of the social work service-providing facility may immediately decide to provide social work services to them.

Section 2

OBLIGATIONS OF SOCIAL WORK OBJECTS

Article 18. Obligation to respect social workers and other staff at social work service-providing facilities

Respect and refrain from threatening, insulting the dignity and personality; infringing upon the life, health, property of social workers and other staff working at social work service-providing facilities.

Article 19. Obligation to comply with regulations during the use of social work services

1. Provide truthful personal information and take responsibility for it, fully cooperate with social workers and staff at social work service-providing facilities.

2. Cooperate in implementing intervention measures and treatment methods prescribed by law by social workers.

3. Comply with the internal rules of social work service-providing facilities and legal provisions on social work.

Article 20. Obligation to pay costs for using social work services

1. Social work objects who use social work services are responsible for paying the cost of using such services according to the service provision agreement contract signed with social workers or service-providing facilities; in cases where social assistance beneficiaries and other persons as prescribed by law are supported or exempted from payment for social work services by the state.

2. The service provision agreement contract (hereinafter referred to as the agreement contract) according to Model No. 01 attached to this Decree.

Chapter III

SOCIAL WORKERS

Section 1

RIGHTS OF SOCIAL WORKERS

Article 21. Rights to Practice Social Work

1. Practice social work in accordance with the registered practice certificate.

2. Decide on preventive measures, interventions, treatments, protection, care, recovery, development support, counseling, assistance, and social work methods based on the registered practice certificate for social work.

3. Establish agreements for providing social work services with organizations or individuals in need in accordance with the law.

4. Independent practitioners of social work shall be entitled to remuneration according to the agreed contracts. The remuneration shall be agreed upon in the signed contract with the client based on the following factors: the content and nature of the social work service; the time and effort expended by the social worker in providing the service; the experience and reputation of the social worker; reasonable travel, accommodation expenses, and other costs related to the provision of social work services. In cases where independent social workers provide services at institutions offering social work services, they shall be entitled to salary, allowances, remuneration, and additional income bonuses (if applicable) as stipulated by law.

5. Be able to practice at one or more institutions providing social work services or independently.

6. Participate in social-professional organizations related to social work.

Article 22. Right to Refuse to Provide Social Work Services

Practitioners of social work have the right to refuse to provide social work services in the following situations:

1. When the service exceeds the scope of the registered practice certificate or contravenes the registered practice certificate.

2. When providing social work services violates the law or professional ethics of social work.

3. When the client or their relatives engage in acts that infringe upon the physical health, life, honor, or dignity of the social worker.

4. Other situations as prescribed by law.

Article 23. Right to Enhance Professional Competence in Social Work

1. Receive training and retraining to develop professional competence and update knowledge relevant to the content of their practice.

2. Participate in professional development and information exchange on legal knowledge related to social work.

Article 24. Right to Ensure Safety While Practicing Social Work

1. Be protected in terms of health, life, honor, and body.

2. If threatened with harm to their life, health, honor, or dignity, social workers may temporarily leave the workplace and the institution providing social work services; local authorities shall take measures to protect the social worker.

Article 25. Right to Implement Intervention Measures in Social Work

Lead or cooperate with the police or other relevant agencies to use social work techniques to prevent, intervene, treat, protect, care for, recover, support development, advise, assist, and safeguard the lawful rights and interests of victims of violence, abuse, exploitation, and mistreatment causing physical and mental harm, as well as other subjects as prescribed by law.

Section 2

DUTIES OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTITIONERS

Article 26. Obligations of Social Work Practitioners towards Service Users

1. Respect the rights of social work service users; maintain a courteous and empathetic attitude.

2. Provide advice and information in accordance with regulations.

3. Treat social work service users equally, without personal benefit or discrimination affecting professional decisions.

Article 27. Obligations of Social Work Practitioners towards their Profession

1. Adhere to social work professional regulations.

2. Be responsible for professional decisions, practices, and methods of social work.

3. Continuously study and update knowledge on social work to enhance professional competence; bear responsibility for training, development, and knowledge updating costs; practice social work, except where otherwise provided by law.

4. Dedicate themselves during the practice of social work.

5. Maintain confidentiality regarding information provided by social work service users, except as required by law.

6. Report to the competent authority when another social work practitioner violates professional ethics with service users, colleagues, or breaches this Decree's provisions.

7. Shall not engage in prohibited acts as stipulated in Article 10 of this Decree.

Article 28. Obligations of Social Work Practitioners towards Colleagues

1. Cooperate and respect colleagues in social work practice.

2. Protect the honor and reputation of colleagues.

Article 29. Obligations of Social Work Practitioners towards Society

1. Participate in community development.

2. Participate in monitoring the professional competence and ethics of other social work practitioners.

Article 30. Obligations of Social Work Practitioners concerning Professional Ethics

1. Adhere to professional ethics when practicing social work.

2. Social work practitioners are obligated to implement the code of conduct for social work professionals as prescribed by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

Section 3

CONDITIONS FOR PRACTICE

Article 31. Conditions for Social Work Practice

Vietnamese citizens residing in Vietnam, foreigners, and overseas Vietnamese who comply with the Constitution and Vietnamese laws, have good moral character, and meet the following conditions may practice social work:

1. Have completed a diploma, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or postgraduate studies in social work, sociology, psychology, special education, or another related social science field as prescribed by law.

2. Ensure health fitness for social work practice.

3. Not fall under the circumstances specified in Article 32 of this Decree or other cases as prescribed by law for administrative violations.

4. Hold a valid social work practice registration certificate issued by a competent state authority.

Article 32. Prohibited Circumstances for Social Work Practice

1. Individuals convicted but not yet rehabilitated.

2. Subjected to compulsory educational measures at a compulsory education facility, compulsory drug rehabilitation center, juvenile correctional facility, or community-based education program.

3. Currently under criminal investigation.

4. Lacking civil capacity, having difficulty in understanding and controlling behavior, or being partially incapacitated, and other cases as prescribed by law.

Article 33. Use of Language in Social Work Practice

1. The language used in social work practice shall be Vietnamese, except as provided for in Clause 2 of this Article.

2. Persons engaged in social work practice, foreigners, and Vietnamese residing abroad may use languages other than Vietnamese to provide social work services at the request of the service recipients and shall be responsible for the quality of such social work services.

Article 34. Updating Knowledge in Social Work

1. Persons engaged in social work practice shall have the responsibility to update their knowledge in social work, in accordance with the content of their social work practice.

2. Forms of updating knowledge in social work include:

a) Participating in short-term training courses, seminars, workshops, and discussions on social work relevant to the content of their social work practice.

b) Participating in the compilation of textbooks, teaching materials, and specialized materials on social work.

c) Conducting scientific research and teaching on social work within the scope of their practice.

d) Self-updating knowledge related to social work and other forms.

3. Persons engaged in social work practice must participate in training for a minimum of 24 hours per year or equivalent to a minimum of 120 hours over five years to update their knowledge in social work during their social work practice. Organizations employing persons engaged in social work practice shall be responsible for creating conditions for such persons to update their knowledge.

4. Institutions providing social work services and schools, centers, and training facilities for social work shall be responsible for organizing the updating of knowledge in social work and issuing certificates of updated knowledge in social work to persons engaged in social work practice according to Model No. 02 attached to this Decree.

5. Plans, contents, methods, programs, and materials for updating knowledge in social work must be approved by competent authorities.

6. Certificate of updated knowledge in social work according to Model No. 02 attached to this Decree.

7. The Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall provide detailed guidance on this Article.

Section 4

PRACTICE OF SOCIAL WORK

Article 35. Practice of Social Work

1. Persons applying for a certificate of registration for social work practice must participate in social work practice as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article, except where they have already been issued a license to practice social work by a competent authority of a foreign country.

2. Social work practice shall be carried out in accordance with the following principles:

a) Consistent with the professional degree obtained,

b) Carried out at units or institutions providing social work services (social assistance institutions, drug rehabilitation centers, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and other institutions as prescribed by law) with a scope of professional activities consistent with the content of the practice.

c) Duration of practice shall be twelve months for bachelor's degree and above, nine months for associate degree, and six months for diploma level at institutions providing social work services.

d) Practitioners must comply with the assignments and guidance of the practice supervisors and respect the rights and obligations of the users of social work services.

Article 36. Organization of Social Work Practice

1. Acceptance of Practitioners:

a) The practitioner must submit an application for practice according to Model No. 03 attached to this Decree and provide a copy, presenting the original diploma, certificate, or certification (if any) related to the professional field with the social work service providing unit or facility where they intend to register for practice.

b) The head of the unit or facility providing social work services shall be responsible for accepting practitioners within three working days from the date of receiving the file. In case of not accepting a social work practitioner, the head of the unit or facility providing social work services must respond in writing within one working day and clearly state the reasons.

2. Assignment of Practice Supervisors:

The head of the unit or facility issues a decision to assign a practice supervisor according to Model No. 04 attached to this Decree. One practice supervisor can only guide a maximum of five practitioners at the same time.

3. Requirements for Practice Supervisors:

a) They must have a scope of professional activities suitable to the content and field of social work practice; they must have worked at the social work service providing unit or facility for at least three years.

b) They must have an equivalent or higher level of education than the practitioner.

4. Responsibilities of Practice Supervisors:

a) Guide social work practice for practitioners.

b) Within two working days from the end of the practice period, they must provide a written evaluation on the practice process, capability, professional qualifications, practical skills, ethical standards of the social work profession, and recommend that the head of the social work service providing unit or facility issue a confirmation of the practice process.

c) Be responsible in cases where the practitioner causes professional errors during the practice period, affecting the health or rights of the target group due to the fault of the practice supervisor.

5. Issuance of Confirmation of Practice Process: Within five working days from the receipt of the written evaluation from the practice supervisor, the head of the social work service providing unit or facility shall issue a Certificate of Practice Process according to Model No. 05 attached to this Decree.

Article 37. Training and Capacity Building for Social Work Practitioners and Social Workers

1. Units and facilities providing social work services shall be responsible for organizing and creating conditions for social work practitioners and social workers to participate in training, updating knowledge on social work, capacity building in professional techniques, and ethical standards of the social work profession.

2. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall issue plans and standard curricula for training, capacity building, and knowledge updates on social work; organize vocational training and knowledge updates on social work for social work practitioners.

3. Agencies, organizations, and facilities tasked with updating social work knowledge must meet the standard curriculum for training issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs when conducting retraining, training, and capacity enhancement in professional skills for social work practitioners and social workers.

Section 5

SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE REGISTRATION

Article 38. Certificate of Social Work Practice Registration

1. A person practicing social work shall be issued one certificate of social work practice registration.

2. The certificate of social work practice registration issued has nationwide validity and is valid for five years.

3. The contents of the certificate of social work practice registration include the following basic information:

a) Full name; date of birth; nationality; personal identification number or citizen identification number, passport number.

b) Content of social work practice.

c) Validity period of the certificate of social work practice registration.

d) Status of the certificate of social work practice registration (new issuance, reissuance).

4. The model of the certificate of social work practice registration is Model No. 06 attached to this Decree.

Article 39. Authority to Issue, Reissue, and Withdraw the Certificate of Social Work Practice Registration

The Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall issue, reissue, and withdraw the certificate of social work practice registration for persons practicing social work at units, facilities providing social work services, training institutions, vocational education institutions with headquarters within its jurisdiction, and independent social workers.

Article 40. Documents for Application for New Certificate of Social Work Practice Registration

1. Application form for social work practice registration according to Model No. 07 attached to this Decree (hereinafter referred to as the Application Form for Practice Registration).

2. Certificate of successful completion of practical social work.

3. Certified copies of diplomas, certificates, and professional qualifications in social work, sociology, psychology, special education, or other social science fields as prescribed by law.

4. Health certificate issued by a competent health authority, where the date of issuance of the health certificate does not exceed twelve months from the date of submission of the application.

5. Two color photographs measuring 4 cm x 6 cm taken against a white background within six months prior to the date of submission of the application.

Article 41. Procedures for Issuing the Certificate of Social Work Practice Registration

1. An applicant for the certificate of social work practice registration shall submit one set of documents directly or online in accordance with Article 40 of this Decree to the competent authority.

2. Within seven working days from the date of receipt of complete documents as prescribed, the competent authority shall issue the certificate of social work practice registration; in case the documents are not in compliance, a response must be provided in writing within three working days, specifying the reasons.

3. The Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs must publish and disclose the list of social workers on the electronic portal of the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs where the registration certificate was issued.

Article 42. Reissuance of the Certificate of Social Work Practice Registration

1. The certificate of social work practice registration shall be reissued in one of the following cases:

a) The certificate of social work practice registration is lost or damaged.

b) There is a change or error in the information specified in Points a, b, and c of Clause 3 of Article 38 of this Decree.

c) The certificate of social work practice registration has expired as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 38 of this Decree.

2. Documents for Application for Reissuance of the Certificate of Social Work Practice Registration

a) Application for reissuance of the certificate of social work practice registration according to Model No. 08 attached to this Decree.

b) Original certificate of social work practice registration in case it is damaged, changed, or contains errors.

c) Certified copies of diplomas, certificates, and professional qualifications corresponding to the proposed changes in the content of practice for cases involving changes in information as specified in Point b of Clause 3 of Article 38 of this Decree.

d) Two color photographs measuring 4 cm x 6 cm taken against a white background within six months prior to the date of submission of the application.

đ) Certificate of updating knowledge in social work equivalent to 120 hours of study within five years for the case specified in Point c of Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Procedures for Reissuance of the Certificate of Social Work Practice Registration

a) An applicant for reissuance of the certificate of social work practice registration shall submit one set of documents directly or online in accordance with Clause 2 of this Article to the competent authority issuing the certificate of social work practice registration.

b) A social worker must complete the procedures for reissuance of the certificate of social work practice registration at least fifteen working days before the expiration date of the certificate of social work practice registration.

c) Within five working days from the date of receipt of complete documents as prescribed, the competent authority issuing the certificate of social work practice registration must reissue the certificate of social work practice registration; in case the documents are not in compliance, a response must be provided in writing within two working days, specifying the reasons.

Article 43. Revocation of Social Work Practice Registration Certificate

1. The Social Work Practice Registration Certificate shall be revoked in the following cases:

a) Falsifying documents in the application dossier for the issuance of the Social Work Practice Registration Certificate.

b) The social work practitioner fails to meet the requirement of updating knowledge on social work as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 34 of this Decree.

c) The social work practitioner voluntarily requests to return the Social Work Practice Registration Certificate.

d) The social work practitioner falls under one of the prohibited practice cases as prescribed in Article 10 and Article 32 of this Decree.

đ) The social work practitioner violates professional ethics, adversely affecting the health, mental state, and dignity of the service recipient, as concluded by the competent authority.

2. After revoking the Social Work Practice Registration Certificate, if the practitioner wishes to continue practicing, they must apply for a new Social Work Practice Registration Certificate according to the provisions of this Decree five years from the date of revocation of the practice permit.

Article 44. Registration for Social Work Practice in Vietnam for Foreign Nationals and Overseas Vietnamese

1. Foreign nationals and overseas Vietnamese may engage in social work practice in Vietnam when holding a valid social work practice license issued by a competent authority of a foreign country recognized pursuant to international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party or international agreements to which Vietnam is a signatory.

2. The application dossier for social work practice registration in Vietnam includes:

a) A social work practice registration application form in Form No. 07 attached to this Decree.

b) A social work practice license issued by a foreign authority and legalized according to Vietnamese law.

3. Procedures for social work practice registration in Vietnam

a) Foreign nationals and overseas Vietnamese submit one set of application dossier as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article to the competent authority as stipulated in Article 39 of this Decree.

b) Within seven working days from the date of receipt of the application dossier, the competent authority as stipulated in Article 39 of this Decree issues a Social Work Practice Registration Certificate in Form No. 06 attached to this Decree; in case of non-compliance with conditions, a written response must be provided within three working days, stating the reasons.

4. Foreign nationals and overseas Vietnamese who have a social work practice license issued by a foreign authority can perform social work services in Vietnam for specific periods, cooperate in training and practical social work, or transfer specialized techniques in practical social work without having to go through the procedures for social work practice registration in Vietnam as prescribed in this Article.

Chapter IV

STATE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Article 45. Responsibilities of Ministries and Sectors

1. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs is responsible for assisting the Government in implementing unified state management over social work and has the following tasks and powers:

a) Developing and submitting to the Government and the Prime Minister for decision-making strategies, programs, projects, policies for the development of social work and planning, consolidating and developing the network of social assistance facilities providing social work services; developing the workforce of social workers at vocational education institutions, provincial, district, and commune levels; determining the number of social work practitioners based on population size, in accordance with the actual conditions of localities.

b) Submitting to the competent authority for promulgation or promulgating within its competence mechanisms, policies, legal regulations on social work; professional ethics standards for social workers; guidelines for the practice of social work.

c) Leading and coordinating with the Ministry of Home Affairs and relevant ministries and sectors in researching, building, and perfecting occupational standards for social work specialists and salary systems for civil servants, public officials, and employees engaged in social work.

d) Uniformly managing the issuance, reissuance, and revocation of the Social Work Practice Registration Certificate.

đ) Organizing training, retraining, and professional instruction for social workers and enhancing their capacity; promoting communication to raise awareness about social work.

e) Applying information technology in the field of social work; establishing a system for managing social workers, social work practitioners, service-providing facilities, and service users.

2. The Ministry of Health leads in guiding social work in the healthcare sector and performs other tasks according to its state management functions.

3. The Ministry of Education and Training leads and coordinates with relevant ministries, sectors, and agencies in perfecting legal regulations on social work at educational and training institutions under its state management; building programs and projects on social work and performing other tasks according to its state management functions.

4. The Ministry of Public Security leads in guiding social work in detention centers, compulsory educational facilities, and reform schools and performs other tasks according to its state management functions.

5. The Ministry of Justice collaborates with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in perfecting mechanisms and policies for the development of social work; collaborates with relevant ministries, sectors, and agencies in guiding social work in judicial fields, adoption; implementing legal aid activities and other social work activities according to its state management functions.

6. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and relevant agencies to report to the competent authority for the allocation of state budget capital in the medium-term public investment plan and annually to strengthen and develop public social assistance facilities that provide social work services.

7. The Ministry of Finance shall be responsible for compiling and submitting to the competent authority for the allocation of funds to implement social work policies, programs, projects, and plans as prescribed by the State budget laws.

8. Relevant ministries and sectors shall be responsible for guiding and implementing this Decree according to their functions and tasks assigned by the competent authority.

Article 46. Responsibilities of the People's Committee of the province

1. Directing, guiding, and organizing the implementation of the Decree on social work within their jurisdiction.

2. Allocating financial resources and human resources to implement social work development programs, projects, and tasks within their jurisdiction.

3. Directing, guiding, and organizing the issuance, reissuance, and revocation of certificates of registration for social work practice according to their authority.

4. Inspecting, auditing, handling violations, and resolving complaints and denunciations regarding the organization and activities of social work practitioners under their management.

5. Regularly reporting annually (before December 15) and reporting promptly on the implementation of the Decree on social work within their jurisdiction to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs for consolidation and reporting to the Prime Minister.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 47. Effective Date

1. This Decree shall take effect from October 15, 2024.

2. From January 1, 2027, social work practitioners must have a certificate of registration for social work practice as stipulated in this Decree.

Article 48. Responsibility for Implementation

Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, and Chairpersons of provincial and centrally-run city People's Committees shall be responsible for implementing this Decree.

 SIGNATURE OF THE GOVERNMENT

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

LE THANH LONG

ANNEX

BASIC SOCIAL SERVICES, MEASUREMENT INDICES FOR THE LEVEL OF SHORTAGE IN BASIC SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE SHORTAGE THRESHOLD IN THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY STANDARD FOR THE PERIOD 2022-2025
(Annexed to Government Decree No. 07/2021/NĐ-CP dated January 27, 2021)