<img src=' alt='A social worker and firefighters promote knowledge about fire safety to residents in a neighborhood, Zaozhuang City, east China's Shandong Province, March 13, 2026. /VCG'
China’s central authorities have issued a set of guidelines to strengthen the development of the professional social work workforce, as part of broader efforts to improve public services and social governance.
Social workers provide services across a wide range of areas, including community governance, employment services, youth affairs, grassroots cultural activities, drug rehabilitation, social assistance, elderly care, child welfare, charitable work, marriage and family support, community corrections, public health, and services for people with disabilities.
According to the guidelines, China aims to achieve a more balanced structure and distribution of social work professionals and significantly enhance their level of professionalization and capabilities within about five years.
The country also seeks to expand the pool of high-level talent and steadily increase the number of professional social work positions.
Tasks and evaluation criteria for social work-related professions across various fields will be clarified, with assessments based on factors such as ethics, knowledge, capabilities, performance and contributions.
Efforts will be made to refine occupational classifications in social work services and create new areas for employment growth.
The guidelines also emphasize strengthening training for existing social work professionals to enhance their professional competence, as well as improving the development of social work-related disciplines and programs in higher education institutions.
The document was jointly issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council.
(With input from Xinhua)