Launch of first psychosocial standards in OPT – UNICEF press release

Launch of the First Psychosocial Standards in occupied Palestinian territory

Ramallah – occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) – 22 December 2005. —     The Palestinian Ministry of Planning, the Union of Social Workers and Psychologists, UNICEF and  the Canadian International Development Agency are launching the first ever national psychosocial standards in oPt today.

‘As part of our humanitarian action, we are working together with our NGO partners in  reinforcing children’s and parents’ capacity to prevent and deal with violence – all forms of violence: in homes, schools, communities and from the conflict’ said Dan Rohrmann UNICEF Special Representative in oPt. 

In 2005, UNICEF equipped more than 50,000 children and 25,000 caregivers with needed skills on how to prevent and deal with all forms of violence.  ‘These impressive numbers would however not mean much without the quality of the interventions’  added Rohrmann.

The professional psychosocial standards are a result of a two-year participatory process leading to setting professional standards for social workers and psychologists working in oPt.

More than 300 social workers and psychologists participated in setting these standards which form a basic framework for their daily work.  The professional psychosocial standard include code of conduct, code of ethics, accreditation system and by laws for the Union of Social Workers and Psychologists.

It is the first time that such professional standards are developed in oPt.  It will guide professionals in their work, and will allow the Union of Social Workers and Psychologists to monitor compliance of professionals to the set guidelines.   This professional standard will result in quality services for children and their caregivers.