A new and comprehensive training curriculum and master training plan for the social service workforce was launched on October 7.

The programme is a joint project by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY) and the National Institute of Social Affairs (NISA), with the support of USAID and UNICEF.

“The social service workforce plays a central role in supporting and promoting the well-being of children, families, victims and vulnerable groups by alleviating poverty, identifying and managing risks and facilitating access to and delivery of social services to ensure that they get the needed welfare services in all circumstances,” said Chea Somethy, social affairs minister, via a joint press release.

“Knowledge, skills and professional ethics are at the core of building the social service workforce and will be key to promoting social justice, reducing discrimination, addressing harmful practices and preventing and responding to violence, abuse, neglect and all forms of exploitation in order to build an inclusive society for children, people with disabilities and disadvantaged groups,” he explained.

This new initiative aims to equip social service workers with the skills necessary to protect Cambodia’s most vulnerable children.

Via the release, Kerry Pelzman, USAID Cambodia mission director, emphasised the impact of a trained social service workforce. 

“Having high quality, trained, and licensed social work personnel will help Cambodia prevent and respond to adversities children and families face and help create the conditions for vulnerable children to thrive in safe, loving, and nurturing families,” she said.

The new curriculum is the Kingdom’s first standardised training programme for social workers that focuses specifically on child protection. Developed in response to the recommendations from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Committee, it was described as underscoring Cambodia’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding children from violence, exploitation and harm.

"The launch of this curriculum is a critical step forward for Cambodia's child protection system," said Will Parks, UNICEF Cambodia representative. 

“By empowering social service workers with the skills they need to address child abuse, exploitation and violence, we are laying the foundation for a safer future for all children. This programme is not just about building capacity – it’s about changing lives. With the commitment of the government of Cambodia and the steadfast support of USAID, we can ensure that every social worker is well-equipped to create a lasting impact, guaranteeing that no child is left without the protection and care they rightfully deserve,” he added.

The release detailed how Cambodia is facing a shortage of social workers, with only 37 professional social workers serving the entire country at the provincial level and just over 200 para-professionals at the district level. 

It described these workers as “crucial to child protection, poverty reduction, and violence prevention efforts. However, the demand for trained social workers far exceeds the current workforce, leaving many vulnerable children without adequate support.”

“These challenges are underscored by the findings from the 2022 Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS), which found that over 50 per cent of children aged 13–17 have experienced physical violence, and more than 3 million Cambodian children have been subjected to violent discipline at home,” it added.

The release noted that addressing this clear need for social services is essential to improve protection for Cambodia’s children.

“The new curriculum offers a roadmap for upskilling social workers and para-professionals through competency-based training, tailored to address Cambodia’s child protection challenges. In addition to enhancing the quality of care, the curriculum formalizes the role of social workers within the nation’s child protection system,” it said.

UNICEF reiterated its commitment to collaborating with the social affairs ministry, NISA and key partners, including USAID, to implement the training plan and continue strengthening Cambodia’s child protection system.