Vice Chairman of the North City Social Workers Union: Lao Fuke has a high turnover rate and the superiors dare not take care of him at all

Vice Chairman of Bei City Social Workers Union:

The turnover rate of Lao Fu Ke was so high that the superiors dared not take care of him at all.

Jiang Yijie, a 38-year-old former social worker supervisor of the Elderly Welfare Section of the Taipei City Social Affairs Bureau, was suspected of taking advantage of his position for more than a year to embezzle more than 12 million yuan from five warded elders who were unable to manage their own property. The elders' money was allowed to be misappropriated by social workers. The outside world has questioned how the Taipei City Social Affairs Bureau supervises on weekdays. Are there any audits? Shen Yaoyi, vice-chairman of the Taipei City Social Workers Union, pointed out that the turnover rate of Lao Fu Ke from the Taipei City Social Work Bureau was high, and the chiefs did not dare to manage or supervise him at all. There should be standard operating procedures or a property trust system for the property management of the person declared under guardianship. However, there are currently different opinions on where the seal and bankbook of the person declared under guardianship are stored. It is also unclear why social workers can handle it. "It is just a mess and the relevant procedures have not been implemented."

Yang Yalan, Director of Social Work of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said that Jiang Yijie has the status of a social worker. If he is convicted of committing a crime while performing his work, his license can be revoked in accordance with the law, and he will not be allowed to take the social worker exam again in the future. Relevant information will also be published in the "Social Worker Punishment Inquiry Area" of the Department of Social Assistance and Social Work of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Although the case is still under investigation, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has sent a letter requesting the Taipei City Government to initiate an administrative investigation process. If it is confirmed that the social worker named Jiang has committed major violations, he can be directly transferred to the disciplinary action.

Please read on...

The Ministry of Health and Welfare sends a letter to the Beijing Municipal Government to initiate an administrative investigation

Assess whether the adult guardianship system needs strengthening

Zhou Daojun, Director of the Social Welfare Department of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, explained that for elders with dementia, disability, etc. who are unable to manage their own property, or who have other special circumstances, the guardians are currently mostly relatives. However, if there are no relatives or other suitable persons, the guardian can also be appointed by an agency designated by the local government or the court. If a local government serves as the guardian, the management measures shall be regulated by each local government; the institution appointed by the court to serve as the guardian shall be responsible to the court. Currently, neither has a more specific supervision system.

Zhou Daojun said that the Social Welfare Department will evaluate whether there is any need to strengthen the implementation or regulations of the current "adult guardianship system" based on the investigation.

The All-Federation of Social Workers Association pointed out that this case has harmed the rights and interests of those being served, and has also harmed the public's trust in the social work profession. However, the serious illegal behavior of a very small number of individuals should not represent the quality and value of the overall social work profession. It urges the public to view it rationally and not to negate the dedication of all social workers due to extreme cases.

The Federation calls on the competent authorities to comprehensively review guardianship duties and financial audit mechanisms, and establish anti-fraud measures such as "financial and service diversion", "dual audits" and "regular third-party spot checks", which can not only protect the property safety of service recipients, but also protect frontline social workers from systemic risks.