The status of a social worker and the development of social services in Kazakhstan were discussed at the forum in the capital

Vice-Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Kazakhstan Yerlan Aukenov, speaking at the opening of the III International Forum of Social Workers of Kazakhstan, spoke about the development of draft laws aimed at improving the status of social workers and regulating their activities.
Yerlan Aukenov noted that as part of the implementation of the National Plan to ensure the rights and improve the quality of life of Persons with Disabilities in Kazakhstan until 2025, it was designated to increase the status and potential of social workers.
"This year, the salaries of social workers have been increased by 50%, about 95 billion tenge has been allocated from the state budget for the next three years for these purposes," the Vice Minister said.
Currently, Kazakhstan is developing the Concept of the draft Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the social status of a social worker in the Republic of Kazakhstan", according to which it is proposed to increase wages taking into account the increased requirements for the assignment of qualification categories, to create a record of social workers through certification and registration and to improve the system of training and their continuous professional development.
"It is necessary to improve the professional skills of social workers through a system of continuing education and certification. According to the Ministry, 27% of social workers have secondary special education, 22% do not have special education. In this regard, it is necessary to expand the field of activity of social workers and raise professional standards," Yerlan Aukenov said.
At the same time, he stressed that, according to the draft law "On the social status of a social worker in the Republic of Kazakhstan", it is planned to pay for labor in accordance with the level of qualification and regulatory load, including payments for psycho-emotional load.
"The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan conducts active international cooperation in the field of social work.
In particular, we have many years of cooperation with the team of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Kazakhstan on the implementation of joint projects in this area.
We hope that this event will help all parties of the social partnership to orient themselves in the complex and diverse space of modern social work, will enhance the exchange of experience, will contribute to the search for new opportunities for the development of social work as a profession, practice and academic discipline in Kazakhstan," the Vice Minister concluded his speech.
Continuing the topic of cooperation with international organizations in the modernization of the social assistance system, the representative of the UNICEF office in Kazakhstan, Arthur van Diesen, noted that with the support of UNICEF, educational courses for social workers were developed and included in university curricula.
For this purpose, a pool of national trainers was prepared with the support of colleagues from L.N. Gumilev Eurasian National University, Kazakh National University, Columbia University School of Social Work and other academic institutions.
According to the Representative of the UNICEF office in Kazakhstan, in 2020, within the framework of cooperation between the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and UNICEF, 11,000 specialists of medical and social institutions and employment centers were tested to determine the level of professional and personal competencies and identify training needs. The test results showed that 91% of social workers received a passing grade, and 50% - average and above average.
Arthur van Diesen also said that over the past two years, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, about 2,000 employees of the social protection sector have completed advanced training courses. This year, the refresher courses are continuing.
"The evidence shows the need to continue to strengthen the professional and interpersonal communication skills of social workers, paying special attention to interdepartmental cooperation, the development of individual plans and the organization of support in accordance with the level of risk and taking into account the interests of the child," said Arthur van Diesen.
Arthur van Diesen stressed that high quality and accessibility of social services for families is the basis for preventing child poverty, abandonment of children and social orphanhood.
In this regard, it is important to conduct refresher courses systematically. According to him, the academic sector and public organizations have accumulated the necessary material and educational and methodological base for this.
"Thanks to the pilot project in Kazakhstan "Integrated model of targeted social assistance and social services", based on case management methods and methods of assistance to low-income families with children, we were convinced of the need to provide not only financial assistance, but also support to needy families using case management technology," said Arthur van Diesen. "This prevents the abandonment of children and the vulnerability of children from families in difficult life situations. 86 families from 443 people in two regions of the country took part in the pilot testing of the program. 240 specialists working under the targeted social assistance program have also been trained."
Despite the difficulties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the pilot project had a significant educational effect.
"We believe that the practice of providing targeted social assistance and services based on a comprehensive family assessment should be continued and extended to other regions. This will help in the implementation of the appeal of the President, Mr. Tokayev, who in his last address to the people clearly outlined the need for social programs for those who really need it," the UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan said.
Taking into account the Convention on the Rights of the Child, institutional custody of children should be replaced by appropriate family support and child development services at the local level.
"UNICEF in Kazakhstan is actively cooperating with the Government of Kazakhstan in strengthening the human resources of social services and is ready to continue to provide comprehensive support in the interests of every Kazakhstani child," Arthur van Diesen concluded his speech.
Recall that the III International Forum of Social Workers "Social work as a driver of socio-economic modernization in Kazakhstan: personnel policy and practice" has started its work in the capital today. It will last until September 30.
The Forum is held within the framework of a joint project of the L. N. Gumilev Eurasian National University with the Representation of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Kazakhstan and the Commissioner for Human Rights with the support of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The forum participants discussed priorities for the development of social work in Kazakhstan, especially in the field of protection of children's rights; proposals to promote social work as an academic discipline, profession, and practice for achieving the UN sustainable development goals (sdgs).
During the forum, master classes, round table and award winners of the essay contest on the topic "Career opportunities for masters in social work".