• Journal of Korean social welfare administration
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.139-174
• /
• 2018

This study aims to identify the problems of the current response system to tackle misconducts of social workers and develop more effective system for disbarment and suspension of social worker qualification. For this purpose, the disbarment and suspension of social worker qualification system of England, New York, Japan, and Australia, and of other professions in Korea such as health, education, and legal professions were reviewed. In addition, focus group interviews were conducted with 2 groups of 10 social workers in order to explore their opinion regarding the misconducts of social workers and the related system. The review of the system in foreign countries showed that the systems were different, and disbarment and suspension system was developed according to the nature of social worker qualification in each country. In terms of other professions in Korea, it has been found that there were unique response systems including procedure of disbarment and suspension according to the characteristics of each profession. As results of the focus group interviews, participants agreed that it is necessary to develop a response system because there are various kinds of misconducts in social welfare service field, and suggested strategies of response system, obstacles to its effects, and long-term plan for strengthening the ethical practice capacity of social workers. In conclusion, the system to address misconducts of social workers including the integrated report point and procedures are suggested. We argued that the establishment of a comprehensive response system based on the close corporation between the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korean Association of Social Workers is necessary in order to cope with misconducts and strengthen the ethical practice capacity. Further more, in the long term, we indicate that the qualification procedures of social worker should be reformed alongside of its management system, and the Social Welfare Service Act should be revised.