Social Workers Registration Board Announces Appointments of Disciplinary Committee Panel

[27/06/2025]

The Social Workers Registration Board (the “Board”) has, pursuant to section 26 of the Social Workers Registration Ordinance (Cap. 505) (the “Ordinance”), appointed 55 individuals as members of the Disciplinary Committee Panel (the “Panel Members”). These appointments take effect upon publication in the Gazette by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare on 27 June 2025. The term of appointment will be three years, with the exact end date to be announced in due course.

In accordance with section 27 of the Ordinance, the Board is required to appoint a Disciplinary Committee composed of Panel Members to inquire into complaints referred to it. Following the amendment of the Ordinance last year, the Board commenced a review of the appointment mechanism. A consensus on the enhanced mechanism was reached after the newly elected Board members commenced their term.

Under the enhanced mechanism, Board members nominate individuals based on their background, character, integrity, capabilities, and relevant experience in disciplinary proceedings. Nominations are assessed holistically, taking into account factors such as complementarity among candidates, the overall composition of the panel, and whether the size of Panel membership is good to support effective operations of the Disciplinary Committee appointment mechanism. The final list is submitted to the Board for consideration and approval.

The current Disciplinary Committee Panel comprises 159 Panel Members, including both registered social workers and individuals who are not registered social workers. Of these, the Board will revoke the appointment of 142 Panel Members, also taking effect upon publication in the Gazette by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare on 27 June 2025. To ensure that ongoing disciplinary inquiries proceed without disruption, the Board has decided to retain the remaining 17 Panel Members until the relevant proceedings conclude. Arrangements for the revocation of their appointments will be announced in due course.

The Board extends its sincere gratitude to all outgoing Panel Members for their dedication and service in upholding professional conduct of social workers. It also welcomes the newly appointed Panel Members and looks forward to their continued role in safeguarding professional conduct and standards of the social work profession in Hong Kong.