Policy pushes expansion of social work

China has unveiled a high-level policy document aimed at expanding the role of professional social workers in addressing complex social issues — ranging from bridging the urban-rural divide and managing demographic challenges to providing employment support for gig workers.

The document, titled "Opinions on Promoting the Construction of the Social Work Professional Personnel Team", was jointly issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

Dated March 1 and made public over the weekend, it described professional social workers as key to connecting with and serving the people, as well as in safeguarding and improving their livelihoods.

To bolster talent supply, the document outlines plans to establish professional standards for social workers in key areas, including community and rural governance, elderly care, child welfare, employment services, and support for gig economy workers.

It has set a goal to make the structure and distribution of social workers more rational within five years, sharply increase the number of high-level professionals, and steadily expand the number of specialized positions.

Under the document, governments at various levels will be encouraged to develop new service models to generate more jobs in the sector, positioning social work as a growing field for employment.

Authorities will also encourage businesses to create social work positions and support public-funded agencies in hiring social workers. In a Q&A session published on Saturday, a senior official from the Society Work Department of CPC Central Committee described the document as a significant step in supporting the long-term development of the social work sector and professionalizing public service and social governance.

"The new era and new journey have set a higher bar for the development of the professional social work workforce," the official said, explaining the rationale behind the policy.

The opinions focus on several priorities, including training, recruitment, evaluation, and incentives for social work professionals. Under the plan, China will expand professional training programs and improve the continuing education system for current workers.

It will also strengthen university-level social work education and increase the share of practical, hands-on teaching.

To address regional imbalances, the government will "actively guide social work professionals to carry out services in rural areas, central and western regions, border areas, and ethnic regions", according to the document.

It also calls for integrating social work into the country's "population development support and service system", especially as China faces the dual pressures of an aging population and declining birth rates.

The plan identifies schools and medical institutions as pioneering areas for expanding social work services. The document also highlights support for China's rapidly growing gig economy, urging social workers to "proactively provide services to new employment groups".

The evaluation system for social workers will be overhauled to emphasize practical performance and service-user satisfaction, the document said.

The document suggests that long-serving professionals working at the grassroots level or in hardship areas will be eligible for pay raises. "Social workers who have spent years working at the grassroots level or in remote, tough areas and delivered strong results will get policy support as outlined," the official said.

A credibility system will also be introduced, incorporating integrity pledges and penalties for dishonest behavior.

The new policy comes as China seeks to strengthen social governance and respond to the needs of its population amid rapid social and economic transformation.

The document also aligns with the broader goals outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development, which was approved on Thursday by the National People's Congress, the nation's top legislature. The plan emphasizes the need to improve social work systems and regulations, strengthen the professional workforce, and raise specialized service standards to advance the modernization of social governance.