Social work has been in place for over 60 years in Malaysia, but still faces challenges in being recognised as a professional vocation. This raises concerns about the competency, accountability and overall ethics of our social workers. Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, a trustee of the Foundation for Community Studies and Development, and Teoh Ai Hua, president of the Malaysian Association of Social Workers, explain the often overlooked role of social workers in our society, and the steps that can be taken to improve the level of care they provide.

To find out more about the Malaysian Association of Social Workers, visit www.masw.org.my, and if you’d like to contribute to the social work training fund mentioned during the interview, email contact@masw.org.my for more information.