The Malta Federation of Professional Associations (MFPA) said Friday it is concerned that individuals with no specific training in social work are being called ‘Social Welfare Professionals’.

The European Commission defines a regulated profession as a professional activity which is “subject, directly or indirectly, by virtue of legislative, regulatory or administrative provisions to the possession of specific professional qualifications,” the MFPA said in a statement.

Malta already has the Social Work profession which is regulated by law and has a clear Code of Practice which requires anyone to be called social work to have specific training which leads to a degree in this specific profession, it added

The government itself stated that these Social Welfare Professionals are meant to “assist” social workers in their duties since there is a shortage of social workers like everywhere else in Europe.

However, MFPA said it strongly believes that this shortage cannot be solved by giving a professional title to individuals with no training in the field. These individuals should not be called “professionals” and not be given the remit to carry out duties which legally are only within the remit of a qualified social worker. Social work, like several other professions, has a very delicate and sensitive nature. Wrongdoing in this profession can lead to serious consequences to the lives of the clients receiving the service apart from creating a liability to the individuals providing the service.

MFPA said it endorsed the statements issued by the Maltese Association of Social Workers, MASW, the Social Work Professions Board, as well as The Department of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of Malta. MFPA asks the government to reconsider the job description and job title of Social Welfare Professionals and amend to be in line with the law of Social Workers and above all safeguard the vulnerable population that receives the services of a qualified social worker. Only individuals who are professionally qualified in a specific profession should be called professionals, the statement concluded.