Introduction
The Chartered Institute of Social Work Practitioners of Nigeria (C-ISOWN) is an Institute established by Act No. 25 of 2022 as a regulatory and professional body charged with the mandate of regulation, setting of standard and control of the profession of Social Work in Nigeria.
In pursuit of our mandate and continuously realizing the same, the Institute has designed spot-on training and services for various organizations, agencies, and Schools. Hence, it is our pleasure to present to your esteemed Institution, the Social Work Proficiency Certificate examination – Students’ Membership Scheme (SMS) of the Institute. The scheme is aimed at assisting undergraduate Students to imbibe the tenets, ideas, and values of Professional Social Work while in school.
Qualification for Student Membership Scheme (SMS)
Prospective students of Social Work, Social Development, Community Development, Adult Education, Sociology, Psychology, and other Social Work related field of study are required to be indexed as student members in the scheme for professional examination with evidence of their studentship.
Philosophy for SMS
The Students’ Membership Scheme (SMS) is designed for candidates who intend to pursue professionalism in Social Work. The underlying philosophy of the scheme is to facilitate the transition of Students to Professional Social Work Practice by providing the necessary conceptual background and practice in social
work, social welfare, social development, policy advocacy and a myriad of Social Work Interventions at diverse levels.
Operation of the Students’ Membership Scheme
The Professional and Resource Committee of the Institute usually carries out resource verification visit from time to time to Institutions, to enable a first-hand interaction with the Management of Institutions cum Resource inspection of the Departments. This visit affords C-ISOWN the opportunity to ascertain the readiness of Institutions to run the scheme and to facilitate updates in Social Work facilities in Institutions conducive for learning and Service users and being at par with other Institutions around the world for favourable global competition for students at graduation.
Registration
All Institutions are required to register as corporate members of the Institute at seventy-five thousand Naira (N75,000) only, renewable every Three (3) years with the sum of fifty thousand Naira (N50,000) only.
Prospective Diploma/Professional Diploma/Auxiliary Social work Student
Members are required to:
1. Be indexed at the beginning of the programme N10,000
2. Write FPE – Foundational Professional Examinations N15,000
Prospective Undergraduate Student Members are required to:
1. Be indexed as Student Members (one-off) N10,000
2. Write IPE N15,000
3. Write FIPE N15,000
Prospective Post Graduate Students are required to:
1. Be indexed at the beginning of the course work (one-off) #10,000
2. Write FIPE – Final Professional Examination #25,000
Successful candidates at FIPE for both undergraduates and postgraduates shall proceed to enroll as chartered social work practitioners.
Examinations, Seminars, and Induction
Students receive lectures and are examined in their various Institutions. Lectures are arranged and delivered at the level appropriate for each part of the examinations. There is usually Social Work Seminar/Symposium at intervals for all Indexed Students.
The domiciled Induction programme is usually done in situ before each Institution’s Convocation Ceremony for successful Candidates where each successful Student shall be issued the Social Work Proficiency Certificate, Membership Certificate at Associate Level, and License to practice.
Benefits to the Students
Students who are indexed under the SMS programme and successfully completed required professional examinations as appropriate usually enjoy the following:
1. Possession of Social Work Proficiency Certificate, Membership Certificate with the personalized membership number, and license after induction.
2. SMS gives students the opportunity to imbibe the Ethics and values of Social Work Profession while still in school and able to perform the roles of social workers while on Campus.
3. Social Workers are trained to be Scientific practical, and Independent hence, this training affords the students to be productive and to become Independent Social Work practitioners upon graduation thereby becoming employers of labour and also enhancing their employability in the labour market for those who would like to work with MDA’s.
4. All Membership benefits apply, networking with other professionals in the field is possible through this programme, students are able to conveniently choose practicum agencies and through our International conferences, students are able to meet Senior colleagues, share experiences, and receive the benefits of mentorship as appropriate.
5. Students also benefits from our research journals and technical reports to sharpen their academics and practice with opportunity to publish in our Social Work journals.
Benefits to Institutions
By Collaborating, Institutions enjoy the following benefits:
1. The multiplier-effect product quality is enhanced, and the students will have added professional qualifications which will help them in securing employment or becoming self-employed. This will impact positively the image and quality of the products of the Institutions.
2. A reliable source of mobilizing our undergraduate students for Social Work Practicum, and your graduates as Social Work Officers in reputable organizations.
3. Enhanced the possibility of collaboration with C-ISOWN and it network of International organizations.
4. An enhancement to the accreditation process and relationship to the programmes of the Institutions
The C-ISOWN over the years has been the vanguard of Social Work Professional Training in the Country with our Trainers drawn from the practice environment and academia. Our programmes have proven to be of immense benefit to all participants in diverse sectors. Therefore, indexed Students for this SMS programme will benefit immensely to become products that can compete favourable in the Social work global market space.
For further enquiries, contact: 07069458282