Republic of the Philippines

Department of Social Welfare and Development

IBP Road, Batasan Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City 1126
Telephone Nos. (632) 931-8101 to 07; Telefax (632) 931-8191
e-mail: [email protected],ph
Wabsite: http://www dswd gov.ph

Administrative Order No. 0 2

Series of ?nin

Subject: Framework for Social Welfare Standards Development

I. Rationale

Under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Reform

Agenda, the DSWD through the Standards Bureau ensures that the poor and
vulnerable are provided with quality social protection programs and services by the
government and partner agencies. As such, it sets standards and provides
consultative services to enable institutions, organizations and persons engaged in
social welfare activities both in public and private settings to comply with said
standards. As part of our commitment in reform agenda, we also strengthen the
regulatory function of the Department, hence this framework for social welfare
standards development.

II. Legal Bases

The following laws make up the legal bases that authorize the DSWD to provide
the framework for Social Welfare Standards Development:

1. Republic Act 4373 series o f 1965 entitled An Act to Regulate the Practice of
Social Work and the Operation o f Social Work Agencies in the Philippines and
for Other Purposes, regulates and provides for high quality of ethical and
professional standards for practice of social workers and registration and
accreditation of social work agencies as stated in Sections 8 and 23 of the Act,
respectively.

2. Republic Act No. 5416 series of 1968 entitled Providing for Comprehensive
Social Services for Individuals and Group in Need o f Assistance, Creating the
Depadment o f Social Welfare, mandates the DSWD to set standards and
policies to insure effective implementation of public and private social welfare
programs and accredit institutions and organizations, public and private,
engaged in social welfare activity including the licensing of child caring and
child placement institutions and provide consultative services thereto.

3. Executive Order 123 series o f 1987 entitled Reorganizing the Ministry o f Social
Services and Development, now referred to as the Department of Social
Welfare and Development which provides for a balanced approach to welfare
interi/ention while it seeks to address the needs and interests of the population

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 not only during crisis situation but more importantly at the time when it could be
prevented.

4. Executive Order 292 series o f 1987 entitled the Administrative Code of 1987,
which renamed the Ministry to Department, reiterates the basic mandate and
the structural and functional authority of DSWD under EO 123. It also directed
the DSWD to set standards, accredit and monitor performance of all social
welfare activities in both public and private sectors.

5. Executive Order No 15 series o f 1998 Redirecting ttie Function and Operations

o f the Department o f Social Welfare and Development. Section 3. Power and
Function (f) Set standards, accredit and provide consultative services to
institutions, organizations and persons engaged in social welfare activities and
monitor performance of institutions, organizations and persons engaged in
social welfare activities both public and private”,

6. Presidential Decree 603, the Child and Youth Welfare Code as amended states
that “no private, natural of judicial shall establish any child welfare agency
without first securing a license from the DSWD, The taw also provides that the
DSWD may, after notice and hearing, suspend and revoke the license of a child
welfare agency on grounds it has stipulated.

Definition of Terms

1. Standards Development - is a process of planning, designing, development

and testing of social welfare standards and enrichment of existing standards to
ensure quality in the implementation of programs and services by private
SWDAs, Local Government Units (LGUs) and DSWD. It also involves the
formulation of minimum conditions that afford the attainment of the rights of an
individual in a particular context (claim - holder or level of service delivery),

2. Social Welfare and Development Standards - are the identified key business
areas essential in operating an agency and implementing social welfare and
development programs and sePi/ices. These include: Organization and
Administration, Program Management, Case Management, Helping
Interventions, and Physical Structures and Safety.

3. Service Delivery Mode - refers to the means by which social welfare and
development programs and services are delivered which include but not limited
to residential and community based.

4. Residential Care Service - refers to the programs and services where

individuals or group care is provided to residents under the guidance of a
trained staff and within a structured therapeutic environment with the objective
of reintegrating his/her with the family or community or in the cases of children,
it is until such time when a better alternative parental care has been identified
for them.

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 5. Community Based - refers to the programs and services rendered when the
helping process takes place in the community as the primary client system or
when social welfare and development activities are provided in individual, group
or families while they remain In their home. It is characterized by interaction
between the client and worker in the community in relation to the resolution of
identified problems and concerned.

6. Intermediary - in relation to standards development refers to a person, group,

network of SWDA’s e.g. DSWD Area Based Standards Network (ABSNET) or
local government units (LGUs) authorized or deputized by the DSWD to
perform specific function/s in the process of registration, licensing and
accreditation.

IV. Social Welfare and Development Standards Framework

The framework considers the systems perspective which recognizes that the
whole process involves several people and units from among external and internal
stakeholders which interact in certain ways to define the conditions for the attainment
of the rights of a particular claim holder group.

In the development of standards, the Standards Bureau operates on the

following framework for the two (2) service delivery mode in addressing the social
welfare needs of stakeholders which are the residential and the community based
programs and services:

1. Rights Based Approach

The Standards Bureau is required to develop standards based on accepted

and universal principles. These standards are formulated to ensure that
intermediaries/duty holders provide services to their beneficiaries effectively.
These standards undergo several processes and procedures into its
development.

The standards development process considers the rights-based approach

(RBA), This particular approach considers and understands the economic,
social, cultural, and political context of achieving the universal realization of
human rights and freedom.

The RBA is person-centered with the fulfillment of the intermediary’s rights

as the end and the means. The standards therefore include outcomes and
process indicators. The approach considers the intermediaries as having
certain duties or responsibilities with stakeholders In the fulfillment of their
rights.

2. Life Course Perspective

The stakeholder group addressed by the Department considers

vulnerabilities due to several factors. One factor is the life cycle (or stage) which

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 include stakeholders group like children, youth, women, persons with disabilities
and older persons. Communities are seen as extension of the family structure.
Life transitions would then include person’s interactions within the family and
between him or herself, the family, the community and the greater society. The
life course is a culturally defined set of normal passages from one age category
(life cycle or stage) to another. It reflects the transitions occurring in the different
domains of life through which individuals make adjustments to changes in their
social environment and through which their status in education, employment,
relationships, family life and health are maintained and developed.

The life course perspective tries to see the effects of social interactions
between biological predispositions, personal agency and the social
environment.

3. Gender-Based Perspective

A gender perspective is “the ability to analyze the socio-economic, political,

cultural and psychological implications of an issue to understand how the
difference between the sexes affects and is affected by policies, programs and
projects, and assesses how these factors relate to discrimination based on sex
and how they impose obstacles to the person’s opportunities and self-
development." (National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women).

Women and girls have the same social, economic, civil and political rights as
their male counterparts. These rights are inherent, interrelated, indivisible, and
non-derogable. GAD uses the rights based approach as a common framework
for assessing and guiding sustainable development initiatives. From this
perspective, the ultimate goal of development is to guarantee all human rights
for everyone.

V. Standards Development Process

The process of standards development follows the program development cycle

which entails (1) review of related laws, policies and guidelines, (2) drafting of concept
paper, (3) consultation with Policy and Programs Group (PPG) members, (3)
consultation with selected stakeholders particularly the Area-Based Standards
Network (ABSNET), (4) field validation, (5) consultation with Field Offices (FOs) and
Management Committee, (6) review/approval and endorsement by Head of PPG to
Executive Committee (EXECOM), and (7) approval by the EXECOM and the
Department Secretary.

The following are the key elements in the standards development process:

Key Elements Indicators/Outcomes

1. Review of related laws, policies • Documentation as a result of review
and guidelines and issuances
• Establishment of benchmark

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 Key Elements Ind icato rs/Outcomes
Drafted concept paper
2. Goal Formulation Goal and objectives are well defined
3. Mandate of the Agency The proposal is consistent with the
function and mandate of the agency______
4, Service Delivery Mode Draft standards guidelines for residential
and community based programs and
services
5. Proposed Identified Standards Standards to address specific service
delivery mode for every sector are right
based, life course and gender-based
perspective_______________
6. Clear delineation of authority Clear institutional arrangement among the
DSWD office/bureaus/services/units and
other public and private SWDAs _______
7. Consultation and capability Enhanced knowledge, skills and
building of stakeholders and understanding in the proposed SWD
intermediaries standards
8. Advocacy for Compliance to DSWD and other public and private
Standards SWDAs SWDAs compliance to SWD
standards
Registration and licensing SWDAs, and
accreditation of programs and services

VI. Standards Development Cycle

The standards development cycle involves a cyclical process and procedures in

determining quality assurance measures in all aspects of SWD program
implementation to ensure quality services for stakeholders.

1. Policy Review and Analysis

This involves a review of past and present social welfare policies, programs
and standards, researches, recent socio economic condition of the country and
existing laws that serve the best interests of the disadvantaged sectors of
society. It involves the review and analysis of existing policy and standards to
determine and identify the gaps, establish the need and clarify the rationale.
Internal review and analysis of the proposed standards is done through
environmental scanning on emerging social welfare standards, issues and
trends in aid of standards development and analysis.

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 A social welfare and development standards situationer can already be
designed. This should provide the data for identifying standards needs and
how they are to be developed.

2. Development of Concept Paper

This involves the study and analysis of key business areas identified to be
essentials in the management of an agency implementing SWD programs and
services. Major key result areas are identified including sub key result areas
believed to be a prerequisite on the process.

The following activities are undertaken by the Standards Bureau:

a. Review of administrative and program records and document.

b. Observe/inspect the physical facilities and structures of the agency.

c. Interview key persons of the agency which includes the members of the
Board of Directors, employees, local social welfare officers, barangay
officials, and beneficiaries, among others.

d. Development of concept paper.

3. Presentation o f Draft Guidelines to Policy and Programs Group (PPG) for

Comments

The standards developed concretize the obligation of the government and

its partners as duty bearers who undertake necessary measures to ensure the
respect, protection and fulfillment of the rights of the poor, the vulnerable and
the disadvantaged who we consider as beneficiaries. To comply with this
obligation and to guarantee high-quality care for these beneficiaries, the social
welfare agencies are assessed according to five major areas of standards of
services. These are;

a. Administration and Organization - there is clear statement of Vision, Mission

and Goals (VMG) of the organization indicating the desired outcomes for its
beneficiaries and the programs and services it offers to operationalize the
VMG. It has a well defined organizational structure that operates towards
an efficient and effective implementation and management of programs and
services, with sufficient number of trained and competent staff organized to
give the best possible care to the beneficiaries. Policies are consistent with
the VMG and supportive of international conventions, declarations, and
other relevant instruments wherein the government is a signatory, and other
national and local legislations. Appropriate internal and external
mechanisms for efficient and effective operations are in place.

b. Program Management - projects and activities are responsive to the needs

of the beneficiaries, appropriate resources are allocated and utilized

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 efficiently towards attaining tine agency’s VMG as well as in improving the
total well being of the beneficiaries.

c. Case Management ~ a manageable number of beneficiaries are handled by

social workers and other allied professional staff with direct care giving
functions applying specific social work methods, innovative
approaches/strategies and processes in accordance with the assessment of
their problems and written treatment plan, This also includes the systematic
documentation of the helping process as basis for determining appropriate
interventions and their effects on the beneficiaries being cared for.

d. Helping Strategies/Interventions - provision of any or a combination of

services/interventions done by qualified staff taking into consideration the
age, gender, nature of the case and the physical and intellectual attributes of
the beneficiaries and should be based on the treatment plan to ensure that
this/these will contribute to the attainment of the helping goals.

e. Physical Structures and Safety - physical facilities shall be kept in good

condition and designed in such a way that will promote the physical, cultural,
emotional and psychosocial well-being of the beneficiaries and of the staff.
It shall conform to the basic standards and program requirements for the
day to day operation of the agency and implementation of its programs and
services.

4. Consultation with Selected Stakeholders

Once the guideline is approved by the head of the PPG it will be then
subject for consultation with the stakeholders. Consultation with stakeholders
comes into two ways: the Standards Bureau conducts its own consultation
dialogue white the Standards Unit of the DSWD Field Office consults their
ABSNET members. ABSNET are composed of DSWD and local government
unit's heads of centers and institutions and Provincial/City/Municipal Social
Welfare and Development Officers (P/C/MSWDOs) and the registered, licensed
and accredited SWDAs,

5. Field Validation

After incorporating the comments of the stakeholders on the draft standard

guidelines this will now be validated by SB technical staff with the stakeholders
and clients.

6. Consultation with Field Offices (FOs) and Management Committee (ManCom)

After collating and incorporating the comments of the PPG and stakeholders
and the result of the field validation, the guidelines will be submitted to the FOs
and ManCom for their review and comments. The draft standards is then
revised based on the inputs of the different units and stakeholders, after which,
it will also be presented during the ManCom meeting for their approval and

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 endorsement to head of PPG concern for approval and endorsement to
Executive Management (ExeCom)

7. Review/Approval and Endorsement by PPG Head to Executive Committee

(ExeCom)

The draft standards will then be reviewed/approved by the Head of PPG and
endorse to ExeCom members for their comments and approval.

8. Approval by ExeCom

The draft standards w/ill be reviewed by the ExeCom members for its
finalization and approval of the Department Secretary. Once approved, a
numbered Standard Guidelines is issued.

9. Approval of the Assessment Tool for Pilot Testing

The Standards Bureau simultaneously prepares the corresponding

accreditation assessment tool. The draft tool is pilot tested in selected public
and private SWDAs in various regions.

As a result of the pilot testing, inputs are reviewed and considered those
variables and indicators that fall within the social welfare and development
standards and adaptable in the area for the enrichment of the assessment
tools. An enhanced assessment tools is endorsed to the Undersecretary for
PPG for his/her further comments and approval.

10. Adoption and Utilization of the Assessment Tool

The Standards Bureau to conduct an orientation of the approved guidelines

and accreditation assessment tool to the DSWD authorized accreditors and
intermediaries for common interpretation and understanding. Likewise, copy of
said documents is forwarded to concerned OBSUs and Field Offices for
utilization as well as to the public and private SWDAs for their reference.

VII. Effect! vity;

This guideline shall take effect immediately.

Issued this i j t h day of January, 2010.

DR. ^ P E R A N Z A I. CABRAL
Secretary

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Social Welfare and Development Standards Frameworks
CLAIM HOLDERS