Social work in Jordan began in the early 20th century through charitable organizations. It has since developed through government ministries and organizations to address issues like poverty, disability services, education, health, and refugee support. The document outlines the history and definitions of social work in Jordan, the government strategies and plans that guide it, and the universities and organizations involved. Modern social work in Jordan provides services to local communities, Palestinian refugees, and Syrian/other refugees through sectors like protection, education, health, livelihoods, and gender-based violence prevention.

1. Introduction to
Social Work in Jordan
MSW Student Perspective
PREPARED BY:
ADIB GHAZI MAHMOUD MANDOU
SEP 2019

2. Index
 Social Work Definitions in Jordan
 History of Social Work in Jordan
 Establishment of social Work in Jordan
 Development of Social Work in Jordan
 Modern Social Work in Jordan
 Social Work Stack Holders in Jordan
 Social Work in Academia in Jordan
 National Social Action Strategies and Plans
 Ministry of Social Development Strategy Plan 2017 – 2021
 National Strategy for Social Protection 2019-2025

3. Social Work Definitions in Jordan
Social Work is a profession based on scientific
knowledge, practical practice and ethical values.
 Aiming to improve the social performance of
individuals and groups, enable them to face their
challenges, and help them to invest their resources
to the greatest extent possible in their best interest in
getting a decent life, stable, safe, equitable society,
and non-discrimination or injustice.
(Ethical Charter for Jordanian Social Workers)

4. Social Work Definitions in Jordan
 Social Worker is a person who holds at least one university
degree in social work by regular study at an acknowledged
university, with subjects of at least eighty (80) credit hours,
and field training of at least seven hundred (700) working
hours according to standards and regulations approved by
the official accreditation authorities.
 Beneficiary is the recipient or applicant, whether at the
individual, group, institution or community level.
(Ethical Charter for Jordanian Social Workers)

5. History of Social Work in Jordan
 The welfare of disadvantaged members of society was attended to
within the complex and sophisticated tribal systems evident in rural
communities across the Middle East.
 Social work has been recognized as a formal activity in Jordan since the
beginning of the 20th century when charitable organizations emerged
as a response to a growing need for social support in communities.
 Religious organizations have provided support to those in need of social
assistance.
 Recently, The responsibility for social care has subsequently been met by
a mixture of government ministries, religious groups and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), both national and international.

6. Establishment of Social Work in Jordan
 Social work in Jordan started voluntarily, through charitable
associations in the period from 1912 -1935.
 Many charities were registered under the Jordanian
Associations Law, after the establishment of the state in
early 1920s.
 After the independence of Jordan in 1946, a special
department was established in the Ministry of Interior in 1948
to address internal migration and its effects.
 In 1951, the Department of Social Affairs was transferred
from the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Health.

7. Establishment of Social Work in Jordan
 In 1956, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor was established
by a law specified that it shall provide comprehensive social
security and productivity, coordinate social services for all
citizens at all stages of life, and regulate their investment.
 In 1966, the associations and social organizations law was
issued.
 In 1975, the name changed from social affairs and labor to
social development and labor, and in 1979 social
development broke away, and became known as Ministry of
Social Development.

8. Development of Social Work Areas in Jordan
 1951, Reducing the migration of citizens from the countryside to
cities, caring for juvenile delinquents, and providing assistance
to the poor.
 1956, Provision of comprehensive social security and
productivity, assistance and the organization of community
social activity and family care.
 1963, Behavior monitoring, juvenile care, rehabilitation,
community activity, funding, and relief.
 1965, Literacy and Adult Education Campaigns.
 1948 – 1967, Services in the fields of education, health, relief and
social services for Palestinian Refugees.

9. Development of Social Work Areas in Jordan
 2003, Family services, social security, community
development, housing projects for the poor.
 2005, Family, Child and Women Services, Community
Awareness, and People with Disability Affairs.
 2000–2017, Preparation, implementation, follow-up and
evaluation of national social action strategies and plans.
 2011–2019, Responding to the Syrian crisis with a
participatory efforts among all relevant ministries and
institutions, UN organizations, donors, INGOs, and NGOs.
 2017–2021, Social Development National Strategy Plan.

10. Modern Social Work in Jordan
Currently social work services are being
provided to the following communities:
Local Community
Palestinian Refugee Community
Syrians, and other Refugees Communities

11. Social Work Services for Local
Community
 Provide psychosocial support services to patients: King Hussein
Cancer Foundation
 Early and basic education services: Formal and non-formal
education
 Socioeconomic Empowerment Programs: Livelihood programs -
Microfinance Programs - Vocational Trainings - Social
Entrepreneurship
 Primary preventive and curative health services
 Reproductive health awareness services
 Community Centers and Safe spaces: Makani

12. Social Work Services for Local
Community
 Protection of women and children: Family Protection Department
 Shelter for victims of violence
 Helpline for family and child
 Foster Care Families Programs
 Care and rehabilitation of disabled people
 Social Development Centers
 Juvenile care and rehabilitation
 Care centers for older people
 Care for orphans

13. Social Work Services for Palestinian
Refugee Community
 Protection and shelter:
 All Palestinian refugees in Jordan have full Jordanian citizenship
except for 140,000 refugees originating from the Gaza Strip.
 Jordan also hosts around 17,000 Palestine refugees from Syria.
 Education: 120,900 Students, 50.2% Females in 169 UNRWA schools
 Health: Same access to health care as other Jordanian citizens
 Relief and Social Services: Provide basic food subsidies and cash
subsidies of $ 120 per year per person.
 Social conditions and mental health: Prevalence of behavioral,
emotional and physiological symptoms of mental distress rises.

14. SW Services for Syrians, and other
Refugees Communities
 Total organizations working with Syrian refugees 64 (export date: 03/09/2019)
 Inter-Sector WG (ISWG): To avoid duplication and facilitate the flow of
information between sectors. Chaired by the UNHCR Inter-Sector
Coordinator.
 Sector Gender Focal Points Network (SGFPN): To ensure that refugees
have equitable access the humanitarian resources. Chaired by UNHCR.
 Basic Needs WG: to strengthen the link between emergency assistance
and durable solutions in humanitarian crisis. Chaired by UNHCR and UMR.
 Education WG: To ensure access to public education for displaced
Syrians children across the country including those in refugee camps.
Chaired by UNICEF and Relief International.

15. SW Services for Syrians, and other
Refugees Communities
 Food Security WG: Coordinate the food support-related activities to
enhance the response. Chaired by WFP – ACTED.
 Health WG: To provide the essential community level, primary,
secondary and tertiary health service. Chaired by UNHCR and WHO.
 Livelihoods WG: Strengthening coordination of the livelihood activities
both in urban and camp settings. Chaired by UNHCR and DRC.
 Protection WG: TO ensure access to basic rights, development of
community-based protection mechanisms, mitigating and reducing
the risks and consequences of SGBV. Sub- WGs (SGBV - Child
Protection - Disability TF - Age-Disability TF). Chaired by UNHCR and
JOHUD.

16. SW Services for Syrians, and other
Refugees Communities
 WASH WG: To provide water, sanitation and hygiene services to Syrian
refugees in camp and non-camp settings. Chaired by UNICEF and Oxfam
 Shelter WG: To provide refugees in camps with adequate shelter, tents or semi-
permanent prefab units. Chaired by UNHCR and NRC.
 PSEA Focal Point Network: Awareness, prevention, coordination and oversight
on protection from SEA by international and national staff who provide
humanitarian services to refugees. Chaired by UNHCR and INTERSOS.
 Humanitarian Partners Forum (HPF): Primary strategic humanitarian forum that
focuses on all humanitarian issues in Jordan ranging from refugee response to
disaster risk management. Chaired by UNHCR and UN Humanitarian
Coordinator.

17. Social Work Stakeholders in Jordan
 Governmental: Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of
planning & International Cooperation are taking the lead with all
other relevant ministries and institutions.
 UN organizations: The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Jordan
consists of 19 agencies, funds, and programs: UNDP – ILO – IOM -
UNICEF – UNESCO – UNWOMEN – UNHCR – UNOCHA – UNFPA –
UNRWA – WFP – WHO.
 INGOs: 61+ are operating in Jordan : CARE - Caritas – CVT - HelpAge -
Humanity & Inclusion – IMC – IRC – NRC – DRC – JRS – RI – Oxfam –
USAID – Medair – Save the Children.

18. Social Work Stakeholders in Jordan
 Royal NGOs: JRF – King Hussein Foundation - JOHUD - Tkiyet Um Ali –
JHCO – Princess Alia Foundation - Crown Prince Foundation
 NGOs: SIGI – Ruwwad – Jordan Health Aid – Injaz – Loyac - AWO
 CBOs and Community Centers

19. Social Work in Academia in Jordan
 Universities: JU - GJU – YU – ASPU – etc.
 Academic Degrees: Bachelor, master and Ph.D degrees in various
specializations (social work, Immigration, sociology, psychology, etc.)
 University Training Centers: Professional diploma of social work.
 Research Centers: Publications, articles, reports.
 Conferences, Summer Schools, and Exchange Programs.

20. Social Work in Academia in Jordan
 Video 1: GJU unique academic programs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk0sGMDd8T4
 Video 2: Refugees World Day 2017 Activity in JOHUD done by GJU
social-work Students
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rUlYOPllvo

21. National Social Action Strategies and Plans
2000, National Strategy for Early Childhood Development
2004-2013, National Plan for Childhood for the years
2005, Family Strategy
2006-2010, National Strategy for Jordanian Women
2005-2009, National Strategy for Youth
2007, National Strategy for the Welfare of Disabled Persons
2008-2012, National Reproductive Health Plan

22. Ministry of Social Development Strategy Plan
2017 – 2021
 The Strategy development was a response to the new challenges,
especially the Syrian refugee crisis, and the difficult economic
challenges facing the Kingdom and its repercussions on society.
 The strategy aims to:
 Create modern institutional structure
 Develop policies and legislation governing social development work and
its profession.
 Facilitate the access of marginalized groups to social services
 Improve the level of services, through a participatory and inclusive
approach.

23. Ministry of Social Development Strategy Plan
2017 – 2021
 Sectoral Objectives of the community and social protection included
three sectoral objectives and ten sub-goals:
 Sectoral Objectives
 Protect individuals and their families from the risks they may face
during their life cycle and structural changes in their communities.
 Enhancing the level of cooperation and coordination among the
bodies concerned with social protection.
 Encouraging institutions, companies, private sector, and voluntary
sector to assume their social responsibilities.

24. Ministry of Social Development Strategy Plan
2017 – 2021
 Sectoral Objectives Sub-goals:
1. Integration of social protection policies and institutionalization of services at the national level.
2. Strengthen and empower the family to fulfill its roles.
3. Providing high quality social protection services.
4. Rehabilitation and integration of events.
5. Reducing the phenomenon of begging.
6. Providing quality services to persons with disabilities.
7. Provide shelter care for the elderly.
8. Provision of alternative care services.
9. Professionalization of social work at all levels.
10. Institutionalizing social responsibility.

25. Ministry of Social Development Strategy Plan
2017 – 2021
 Strategic goals:
 Social Policy and Legislation Development
 Strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ministry and rooting a
culture of excellence
 Developing social services and improving their quality and quality
 Organizing and Activating Voluntary Work
 Contribute to the empowerment of local communities and target
groups
 Developing, building and institutionalizing partnerships and enhancing
cooperation and coordination in the field of social work

26. Ministry of Social Development Strategy Plan
2017 – 2021
 Strategy Programs:
 Management and Supporting Services Program
 Persons with Disabilities Program
 Social Defense Program:
 Community Development and Poverty Alleviation Program
 Family and Childhood Program
 Associations Registration Program
 Legislation and regulatory frameworks
 Partnership Program

27. National Strategy for Social Protection 2019-2025
 A comprehensive national strategy for building social protection that
clarifies the Jordanian government's commitments towards citizens, to
break the cycle of poverty and prevent its generation in the context of
the Kingdom's vision of the state of law, production and solidarity.
 Focusing on opportunities for families economic self-sufficiency through
labor market.
 Focusing on the empowerment of citizens, through education and health
care as well social services for people in need and a guarantee their
survival is integrated into their families and communities.
 Focusing on targeted social assistance, that allows the poor to maintain
level of consumption of their basic needs with dignity.

28. Introduction to
Social Work in Jordan
MSW Student Perspective
Prepared by:
Adib Ghazi
Mahmoud Mandou
Sep 2019
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