The Outstanding Social Worker Award which commenced in 1998 is into its 10th year. This event is jointly organised by the Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW) and the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), with the support of Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.

The Outstanding Social Worker Award (OSWA) is the highest award conferred by the President of Singapore to acknowledge and recognise the outstanding contributions by dedicated social workers of Singapore to the social service, healthcare or community sector.

The Promising Social Worker Award (PSWA) introduced in 2008 accords recognition to social workers who are newer to the field and nonetheless have made a difference in the lives of clients and the community alike.

Two winners have been selected to receive the Outstanding Social Worker Award in 2009. They will each receive a trophy and certificate of award, a Personal Development Grant of $5,000 sponsored by ExxonMobil, and sponsorship for the Professional and Leadership Development training worth $24,000 and $1,000 cash award both from MCYS.

One up-and-coming social worker was selected to receive the Promising Social Worker Award and he will receive a certificate of award, a Personal Development Grant of $4,000 sponsored by ExxonMobil, and $1,000 cash award from MCYS.

• Nominees must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents
• Nominees must be qualified social workers* who are working in the Social Service, Healthcare or Community Sector
• Nominees for the awards should have demonstrated commendable service to their clients, made valued contributions to the profession and who are distinguished by a positive attitude and learning spirit.

The highest honour in the social work profession was accorded to two veteran social workers who were instrumental in leading programmes that help families overcome issues like marital problems and family violence.  The two recipients of OSWA are Mr Mohd Ali Bin Mahmood, Executive Director of PPIS-JURONG Family Service Centre (FSC), and Mrs Seah Kheng Yeow, Head of Family Development and Senior Social Worker at the Centre for Promoting Alternatives to Violence (PAVe).  

Mr Chua Wei Bin, Centre Head of The Ang Mo Kio FSCs at Cheng San, who piloted projects for the elderly, was given the PSWA.  All three recipients received the awards from President S R Nathan during the President’s Tea Reception for Social Workers and Award Presentation Ceremony at the Istana on 26 October 2009.