Four social workers honoured at annual awards for the profession

SINGAPORE — An annual awards ceremony to recognise the work of social workers in the social service, healthcare and community sectors saw four recipients receiving the highest honours in the profession today (Nov 26).

Now in its 15th year, two veteran social workers — Ms Cheung Siew Li from St Luke’s Hospital and Ms Julia Lee from TOUCH Community Services — were awarded the Outstanding Social Worker Award (OSWA) for their dedication and “high standards achieved” in their respective specialisations, noted the Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW) in their media release today.

In addition, two younger social workers — Ms Lee Sin Yan from AMKFSC Community Services and Ms Michelle Wong from Care Corner Singapore, Family Service Centre (Queenstown) — were awarded the Promising Social Worker Award (PSWA) for displaying strong leadership qualities and competencies despite having spent only a few years in the industry.

The OSWA and PSWA winners will receive S$1,000 each from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). They will also be awarded a personal development grant of S$10,000 and S$8,000 respectively from ExxonMobil Asia Pacific as well as S$30,000 and S$14,000 sponsorship respectively for professional and leadership development training, among other things.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Istana today, President of the SASW Alvin Chua noted that the awards affirmed the work of these exceptional social workers.

“The excellent standards to which they adhere, and the passion and energies that they devote to those they serve, are truly commendable,” he added.

Organised by the SASW with the support of the MSF and ExxonMobil Asia Pacific, some 300 guests were present at the awards ceremony including President Tony Tan and Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing.