Social welfare workers will undergo professional certification every three years and will be eligible for monthly salary supplements ranging from 750 to 2,000 lei, depending on the qualification level they attain. These provisions are set out in a law passed by Parliament in two readings, which introduces changes to the organization of social services, as well as to staff assessment and professional development in the sector, IPN reports.

The law establishes a system of five professional qualification grades, with Grade I being the highest. According to the explanatory note accompanying the bill, the proposed allowance is 750 lei for Grade V, 1,000 lei for Grade IV, 1,250 lei for Grade III, 1,500 lei for Grade II, and 2,000 lei for Grade I. The law provides for the payment of this monthly allowance under the unified public-sector pay system.

The new system will be introduced gradually. The first round of certification, for obtaining Grade V, is scheduled for 2028. The law also provides for a professional development system that will include onboarding new employees, ongoing training, competency assessments, and supervision. According to the draft legislation, the aim is to give those working in social assistance a clearer professional pathway and opportunities for career advancement.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in social work will be eligible for their first professional certification after one year of practice, just like those with a master’s degree.

The new provisions also address how social assistance is granted. The law introduces the concepts of “case management” and “risk of vulnerability” and clarifies who may apply for social assistance on behalf of a family. Applications may now also be submitted by a guardian or another authorised person. In addition, records of social services and their beneficiaries will be maintained through the “eSocial” information system.