NCSS :: VWO Corner - Social Service Awards - Outstanding Social Worker Award

The highest honours in the social work profession, Outstanding Social Worker Award and the Promising Social Worker Award, are presented by
President S R Nathan to outstanding social workers for their dedication shown to the profession and for improving services to the community.

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About the Awards

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 NCSS, with the support of 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.

The Outstanding Social Worker Award winner will 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 will be selected to receive the Promising Social Worker Award and will receive a certificate of award, a Personal Development Grant of $4,000 sponsored by ExxonMobil, and $1,000 cash award from MCYS.

Selection Criteria

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 Outstanding Social Worker Award recipient must:	The Promising Social Worker Award recipient must:
Have 5 years or more of service experience as a social worker Demonstrate consistent outstanding service to the clients and the community Have made impactful and lasting contributions to the profession Demonstrate innovative and creative abilities in their work Be actively involved in outreach and advocacy Engage in continual professional development Possess strong leadership qualities	Have at least 3 years of service experience as a social worker Have achieved significant accomplishments or initiated innovative projects that have impacted clients and community Engage in continual professional development Show strong potential for leadership development through their conduct and work

*A qualified social worker is defined as a social worker who has qualifications in Social Work accepted by the Singapore Association of Social Workers.

Winners for 2009

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.