Draft no.

03

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
No. ____
Series of 2020

SUBJECT : Revised Guidelines in the Accreditation of Social Workers

Managing Court Cases

A. Rationale

The Department of Social of Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Standards
Bureau (SB) issued AO 138 Guidelines in the Accreditation of Social Workers Managing
Court-Related Cases thereby ensuring delivery of quality service in 2002. After six years
of its implementation and identification of some gaps, Administrative Order Number 1
series of 2008, otherwise known as Revised Guidelines in the Accreditation of Social
Workers Managing Court Cases (SWMCC) was issued.

During the implementation of AO No. 1 series of 2008, the demand for expertise of Social
Workers in handling court cases have increased due to the increase of reported abuse
cases (not only in children but also in women and older persons as well) and cases
involving children-in-conflict with the law, which both needed legal assistance. The need
for qualified Social Workers managing court cases have been required to uphold and
advocate for the best interest of the children, the child’s welfare, and who will be able to
stay with the case until a child is in a safe permanent home.

With this increasing demand to further the skills of the RSWs, the recognition given to
the social worker’s competence as an expert witness in court litigation and to exercise
professional handling of cases in the court setting can be expressed in their accreditation.
Hence, this guideline is intended to expedite the accreditation procedures while meeting
the quality standards required for RSWs who are managing court cases.

In the event of National Emergency Situations, additional procedures on virtual

assessment of Social Workers Managing Court Cases are included in the guidelines as
well.

B. Mandate and Legal Bases

The Department draws its authority to accredit Social Workers Managing Court Cases
from the following:

1. Executive Order No.15 - Redirecting the functions and Operations of the DSWD
Section 3, “(F) set standards, accredit and provide consultative services to
institutions, organizations and persons engaged in social welfare activities and
monitor performance of institutions and persons engaged in social welfare and
development activities both public and private”.

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2. Republic Act No. 8369 known as the “Family Courts Act of 1997”, Section 11.
Alternative Social Services. In accordance with Section 17 of this Act, in areas
where no family courts have been established or no regional trial court was
designated by the Supreme Court due to limited number of cases, the DSWD shall
designate and assign qualified, trained, and DSWD accredited social workers of
the Local Government Units to handle juvenile and family cases filed in the
designated regional trial court of the place.

3. Republic Act No. 11032, known as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient
Government Service Delivery Act of 2018”, Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is
hereby declared the policy of the State to promote integrity, accountability, proper
management of public affairs and public property as well as to establish effective
practices, aimed at efficient turnaround of the delivery of government services and
the prevention of graft and corruption in government. Towards this end, the State
shall maintain honesty and responsibility among its public officials and employees,
and shall take appropriate measures to promote transparency in each agency with
regard to the manner of transacting with the public, which shall encompass a
program for the adoption of simplified requirements and procedures that will
reduce red tape and expedite business and nonbusiness related transactions in
government."

4. Republic Act No. 10630 known as the “"An Act Establishing a Comprehensive
Juvenile Justice and Welfare System, Creating the Juvenile justice and Welfare
Council under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Appropriating
Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes”, on the definition of Social Worker

C. Definition of Terms

1. Accreditation – refers to the recognition accorded by the DSWD to registered

social workers who had satisfactorily complied with the requirements and
standards in managing court related cases.

2. Case Management – refers to the specific social work method applied to

individuals/persons in collaboration with professional inter-disciplinary helping
team with an end view of empowering them to become a fully functional individual.

3. Court Cases – refers to civil and or criminal cases filed in court for and in behalf of
the individual/persons subject to litigation whether as victims, witness, or accused.
These may include but are not limited to adoption, legal guardianship, cases of
abuse, exploitation and discrimination and cases of children and youth in conflict
with the law;

4. Direct Social Worker - refers to a social worker who help people solve and cope
with problems in their everyday lives by applying social work theory and/or
methods to the resolution and prevention of psychosocial problems experienced
by individuals, families, and groups in the context of social work values,
empowerment, diversity, and multiculturalism, as well as with attention to client
strengths, spirituality, and risk and resilience influences.

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5. Individual/Persons – refer to persons who are victims of abuse, neglect,

exploitation, discrimination and other conditions prejudicial to their welfare and
development whose cases are filed in court;

6. Service User/client/beneficiaries– refers to any individual/persons availing the

service of the social worker;

7. Social Worker – refers to a registered social worker who is employed by

government and or private agency, or an independent practitioner who practices
through sole proprietorship or independently outside of these agencies, and have
legal lens that when an initial assessment is conducted, he/she will be able to
determine the appropriate interventions for the client.

8. Supervising Social Worker - refers to a senior social worker who provides support
and who monitors and oversee activities of the social workers and ensures the
promotion of the best interest of the client alongside with the Social Worker.

D. Coverage

This Guideline covers all social workers who are direct practitioners including Supervising
Social Workers from the DSWD Field Offices, residential, and center-based facilities,
Local Government Units, other National Government Agencies, LGU Designated Court
Social Workers, Private Social Welfare Agencies, Peoples Organizations as well as those
individual practitioners managing court cases of the disadvantaged groups.

E. Qualifications

1. Must be a registered social worker;

2. Must have completed a basic / refresher course on managing court cases or at
least twenty-four (24) hours of training on relevant laws from the last three (3)
years conducted by DSWD or its recognized institutions;
3. Must have direct experience and presently handling at least four (4) cases of any
of the disadvantaged groups;
4. For Supervising Social Worker, should have at least two (2) supervisees with a
maximum of two (2) caseloads.

F. Requirements

Applicants for accreditation must submit a duly accomplished application form

(Annex A) together with the following documents:

New Applicant Renewal

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Direct 1. Photocopy of valid Professional
Social Regulations Commission (PRC)
Workers Registration, ID Card
2. Photocopy of Certificate of
Attendance to basic course
training (at least 32 hours) on the
management of court cases from
DSWD or its recognized training
institutions; In case of lost
certificate, a certified true copy
from the training provider may be
presented
3. Photocopy of recent Certificate of
Completion/Participation on
refresher course on managing
court cases (if basic course was
taken more than 3 years ago) or
at least twenty (20) hours of
training on relevant laws
4. Summary of documentation of 4
cases managed (Annex B)
5. A letter of recommendation
attesting to the competence of the
social worker to be secured from:
• Supervisor of the applicant;
• If LGU Designated court social
worker, from the clerk of Court
6. The following documents on
cases handled must be made
available during the on-site
assessment:
• Case study reports
• Progress/running notes
• Case summaries
• Case conference
proceedings/notes
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1. Photocopy of valid
Professional Regulations
Commission (PRC)
Registration, ID Card
2. Photocopy of Certificate of
Attendance to relevant
trainings attended or
refresher course of at least
24 hours given by DSWD or
its recognized training
institutions (i.e. CSC,
PASWI)
3. Photocopy of recent
Certificate of
Completion/Participation on
refresher course on
managing court cases (if
basic course was taken
more than 3 years ago) or
at least twenty (20) hours of
training on relevant laws
4. Summary documentation
(Annex B) of cases
managed for the last thirty-
six months (3 years)
5. Recommendation from the
Supervisor attesting to the
competence of the social
workers in managing court
cases;
6. The following documents
on cases handled must be
made available during the
on-site assessment visit
• Case Study reports
• Progress notes, and
• Other relevant
documentation
pertaining to the cases
7. Copy of previous Certificate
of Accreditation
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Supervising 1. First two (2) requirements stated 1. First two (2) requirements
Social above under new applicants for stated above under new
Workers social worker; applicants for social worker;

2. Summary of documentation of two 2. Summary documentation

(2) cases managed (Annex B) (Annex B) of cases
managed for the last thirty
six months (3 years)

3. Summary list of cases 3. Summary list of cases

reviewed/approved as supervisor reviewed/approved as
(Annex C); supervisor (Annex C);

4. Technical supervisory notes of 2 4. Technical supervisory notes

supervisees as proof of providing of 2 supervisees as proof of
technical assistance; providing technical
assistance

5. The following documents on 5. The following documents

cases handled must be made must be made available
available during the on-site during the on-site
assessment: assessment visit:
• Case study reports • Case study reports
• Progress/running notes • Progress/running notes
• Case Summaries; • Case Summaries;
• Case Conference • Case Conference
proceedings/notes proceedings/notes

6. Copy of previous Certificate

of Accreditation

G. Procedures for Accreditation

1. Timetable for accreditation procedures.

A. Application procedures
Step DSWD PROCEDURE RESPONSIBLE TIMELINE
DSWD OFFICE (Working Days)
1 Applications with complete DSWD Standards 1
documentary requirements to be Bureau
submitted to DSWD SB.
2 Review the application and DSWD Standards 1 1/2
documents upon receipt of Bureau
application from applicant
3 SB to acknowledge receipt DSWD Standards 1/2
Bureau
TOTAL Five (3) working
days

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B. Conduct of on-site assessment

Step DSWD PROCEDURE RESPONSIBLE TIMELINE
DSWD OFFICE (Working Days)
1 Conduct on-site assessment through DSWD Standards 1 day on-site
review of case records, interview of Bureau assessment per
the applicant, and conduct of other agreed schedule
relevant activities
2 Confirmation report shall be sent to DSWD Standards Within 4 working
the concerned NGO/LGU cc FO Bureau days after the on-
where the applicant social worker is site assessment
from
3 Endorsement to the Office of DSWD Standards 2 working days
Undersecretary (of the Cluster where Bureau
Standards Bureau belongs to) of the
Certificate of Accreditation, and a
copy of the Confirmation Report
TOTAL Seven (7) working
days

C. Issuance of Certificate of Accreditation and ID

Step DSWD PROCEDURE RESPONSIBLE TIMELINE
DSWD OFFICE (Working Days)
1 Approval of the Certificate of DSWD Office of the Within 5 working
Accreditation by the Undersecretary Undersecretary days after the
(of the Cluster where Standards receipt of Certificate
Bureau belongs to) of Accreditation with
the confirmation
report
2 Approved Certificate of Accreditation DSWD Standards 2 days
to be endorsed to the FO-Standards Bureau
Section
3 Endorsement of the Certificate of FO- Standards 2 days
Accreditation to the qualified Section
applicant by FO-Standards Section
TOTAL Nine (9) working
days

2. Application

The application is filed directly to the DSWD Standards Bureau for

review/assessment (Annex A) and other documentary requirements stated in item
section F. Once verified, the Technical Staff of DSWD Standards Bureau shall
acknowledge receipt of the application of the document presented.

3. On-Site Assessment

The SB shall review the application and documents submitted by the applicant
within one (1) working day upon receipt of application. SB shall conduct on-site
assessment through review of case records, interview of the applicant, and
conduct of other relevant activities.

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Confirmation report shall be sent to the concerned NGO/LGU, copy furnished Field
Office, where the applicant social worker is from within five (5) working days after
the on-site assessment. In cases where the applicant/s falls below the set
standards, the said applicant/s shall be given appropriate technical assistance on
the areas needing improvement. A re-assessment shall be conducted after six
months.

4. Issuance of Accreditation Certificate;

If applicant has met the standards, SB to prepare the Certificate of Accreditation

with a copy of the confirmation report to be endorsed to the Office of the
Undersecretary for issuance within 2 working days.

The Undersecretary or his/her duly authorized representative shall issue the said
Certificate of Accreditation within five (5) working days after the receipt of the
Certificate of Accreditation with the confirmation report. This will be endorsed by
SB through the FO-SS to qualified social workers within three (3) working days
after the issuance of the Secretary.

The Certificate of Accreditation are valid for five (5) years from date of issuance
and are non-transferable.

5. Renewal of Accreditation

Renewal of accreditation shall be every five (5) years from the date of issuance
following steps 1, 2 and 3 or Letter K if the situation warrants it.

For reference, attached is the Procedures Flowchart (Annex D)

H. Grounds for Non-Accreditation and Non-renewal of Accreditation

Accreditation or renewal of Accreditation shall not be granted to social workers on the

following grounds:

1. Receiving payment or gifts outside of the prescribed fees required by the agency
and as provided by law;
2. Incompetence, exploitation, abuse or neglect of the case;
3. Revoked PRC license;
4. Conviction of a crime related to abuse and exploitation of clients and beneficiaries;
5. Other activities inimical to the best interest of clients and the profession.

I. Benefits of an Accredited Social Worker

Accredited Social Workers shall be given priority for:

1. Continuing technical assistance to include attendance to training

seminar/workshops lecture series and other forms of capability building activities;

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2. Consultation meeting/s for program development, policy formulation and other

related activities of the Department;
3. Inclusion in the list of professionals for consideration in scholarships, fellowships,
and post graduate studies in regional, national and foreign level courses or
trainings relative to management of court cases of disadvantaged individuals or
groups;
4. Inclusion of his/her name in the list of accredited Social Workers Managing Court
Cases that will be posted at the DSWD Website;
5. Recognition/appreciation at appropriate ceremonies at FOs /LGUs;
6. Access to reading/informative materials on laws and policy issuances available
at the local Social Welfare and Development Office and DSWD–COA and FOs;
7. CPD Points as an accredited Social Workers Managing Court Cases.

J. Institutional Arrangement

1. Field Offices
a. Ensure compliance of service providers to the guidelines;
b. Advocacy through regular orientation/consultation and dialogue to promote the
guidelines especially at LGUS, Courts and Private SWAs and SWDAs’
Quarterly report on these activities shall be submitted to the Standards Bureau
every 10th day of the succeeding month to be included in the quarterly
accomplishment report submitted by FOs;
c. Train LGU/NGO Social Workers involved in the management of court cases;
d. Conduct of pre-accreditation assessment and secure all documents submitted
by the applicants;
e. Submission of result of the pre-accreditation assessment with complete
submitted documents of the Social Workers Managing Court Cases applicants
to DSWD-SB for their appropriate action.

2. Standards Bureau
a. Provide technical assistance to FOs on the interpretation of the guidelines and
requirements for accreditation;
b. Assess application for accreditation;
c. Coordinates with the Supreme Court/RTC and other courts of law on the
Guidelines in the accreditation of Social Workers Managing Court Cases;
d. Maintain an updated inventory of accredited Social Workers Managing Court
Cases as well as Social Workers Managing Court Cases whose accreditation
have been revoked to facilitate monitoring of compliance and; provision of
technical assistance;
e. Issuance of certificate of accreditation;
f. Develop advocacy materials for the promotion of the guidelines in coordination
with SMS;
g. Post the list of accredited Social Workers Managing Court Cases and list of
Social Workers Managing Court Cases whose accreditation have been
revoked at the DSWD Website in accordance to the Data Privacy Act.;

3. Program Management Bureau

a. Provide technical assistance to FOs on the management of court-related
cases;

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4. Social Welfare and Institutional Development Bureau

a. Provide FOs a list of DSWD recognized training institutions;
b. Conduct of training program;
c. Ensure continuity of training programs to enhance the competence of service
providers;
d. Provide reading/informative materials on laws and other issuances to
accredited Social Workers Managing Court Cases;

5. Social Marketing Service

a. Posting of advocacy materials in DSWD Website
b. Posting of the names of SWMCC with valid accreditation, handling of which is
in accordance to the Data Privacy Act.

6. Philippine Association of Court Social Workers, Inc.

a. Encourage and support court social workers, especially the LGU designated
court social workers, to be accredited;
b. Provide training/refresher course on topics related to management of court
cases;
c. Advocate the guidelines during trainings/conferences/meetings;

K. Assessment Process During National Emergency Situations

1. This will only be used once a National Emergency Situation is declared by the
President of the Philippines or by the appropriate national agency.
2. Accreditation Process
a. Online Registration of Applicants shall fill out a registration form to signify
his/her interest.
b. Upon receipt of registration, the DSWD Field Office within three (3) working
days shall notify the applicant via e-mail to submit the needed requirements
as provided above.
c. The applicant shall submit a scanned copy of the prescribed application form
along with the requirements via email or hard copies of documents via courier
to the Standards Bureau.
d. Upon receipt of the documents, the DSWD Standards Bureau shall review the
veracity of the documents submitted and within three (3) working days shall
acknowledge receipt of the requirements conformed with the following
circumstances:
i. Should the submitted documents suffice and qualify for accreditation, the
acknowledgement shall inform the applicant on the merit given to his/her
application and to proceed with a scheduled online interview either by
google meet, zoom or any similar methods.
ii. Should there be lacking documents or if documents are found insufficient
and applicant was unable to meet the set qualifications as stipulated in
item No. 7 (Requirements) and in the Annexes D and E of this MC, the
acknowledgement shall contain regret and thereby inform the applicant
with the needed requirements and qualifications required to proceed with
the accreditation.

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3. Assessment Process
a. Ensure and confirm that internet connectivity is stable at both ends. It may be
recommended to the applicant to record the live session in case of any
internet interruptions.
b. Briefly orient the applicant about the guideline, the assessment tool and
discuss the mechanics of the accreditation process which includes the
applicant showing again the documents and the conduct of interview, using
the tool.
4. Confirmation Report and Issuance of Certificate
After the actual assessment online, the assessor shall:
a. Prepare a confirmation report on the assessment result of the assessment
within seven (7) working days.
b. If the result of the assessment is favorable, the accreditation certificate shall
be prepared simultaneous with the confirmation report and issue the same to
the applicant upon approval of the Undersecretary of the Standards and
Capacity Building Group.
c. The Standards Bureau shall immediately update the directory of the
accredited Social Workers Managing Court Cases.

L. Effectivity

This order shall take effect immediately and supersedes other DSWD guidelines and
issuances inconsistent thereof.

Issued this _____ day of ______,at Quezon city

ROLANDO JOSELITO D. BAUTISTA

Secretary
Department of Social Welfare and Development

Annexes:

Annex A. Application Form

Annex B. Summary of Documentation of Cases Managed
Annex C. Summary List of Cases reviewed/approved as supervisor
Annex D. Assessment Tool for Direct Worker
Annex E. Assessment Tool for Supervisors
Annex F. Procedures Flowchart
Annex G. Certificate of Accreditation

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