Social workers push back against conditions tied to increased student stipend

The Social Workers’ Association has insisted that increases in student stipends should also apply to students who choose to work with NGOs.

The initiative, that was initially announced in January, bumped the profession up to “high priority” status, which would increase the current monthly stipend from €196 to €440.

The ministry later informed Times of Malta that students who opt for the increased stipend will be expected to "give back a minimum time of service" with the public service or a designated social welfare sector post, or an employer in the social welfare sector, as approved by the government.

On Monday, the Maltese Association of Social Workers (MASW) said that it has continued to receive conflicting explanations regarding the conditions attached to the stipend increase, adding that the scheme seemed to push future social workers to one particular agency.

“These differing versions have created uncertainty and unease within the profession, particularly because of the condition that students would have to work with a government agency on graduation to receive the enhanced stipend,” the association said.

“It also creates an unfair situation for those who may wish to pursue employment in specialised areas offered by NGOs or other non-governmental services, which play a crucial role within the sector,” it said.

This new system would also undermine the collaboration between the Ministry and NGOs operating in social work, the MAWS said.

The MAWS proposed an alternative system, that members agreed upon in its recent Annual General Meeting.

The alternative system would include a monitoring system to ensure that graduates who received the increased stipend whilst they were students continue to work within the social work field – whether within government services or NGOs – for a definite period, such as three years.

MASW added that if graduates fail to meet this commitment, they will have to repay the additional stipend they received as students, in proportion to the remaining years of their obligation.

Under this proposed system, the employer would be responsible to inform the relevant body regarding the employment status of graduates, and there will also be mechanisms in place to track any change of employment.

"This approach would ensure retention within the profession, which has been explained as the rationale behind the High Priority Stipend system, without restricting individuals’ freedom to choose their place of work,"

The statement was signed by MASW Executive Committee, 46 members present at the AGM, and 44 individuals from across the profession, including students, practitioners, senior social workers, managers, and researchers.