Unlicensed social care professionals face penalties

Abu Dhabi authority sets September 2 compliance deadline

Social care practitioners who have not obtained the required licences will be penalised from September 2 onwards, the Department of Community Development (DCD) In Abu Dhabi has said.

The Department, which regulates Abu Dhabi’s social sector, is accepting applications for licences from social care professionals who wish to validate their work status.

Mubarak Al Ameri, acting executive director of licensing and social control at the DCD, said: “The licensing process includes different stages that may take three months or more, depending on the requirements to be fulfilled based on the type of social care activities they practise. This move will ensure that only licensed social care professionals are providing services to the Abu Dhabi community based on the highest global quality standards.”

The DCD also called on all its partners in the government and social sectors to urge social care providers in Abu Dhabi to start applying for licences.

“Allowing social care professionals to reconcile their working status is in line with the DCD’s relentless efforts to improve the quality of social services in Abu Dhabi,” Al Ameri said.

“It also ensures that all segments of society receive the best social services. This step is also part of its role to organise the social sector in Abu Dhabi and enforce the set policies, laws and strategies that aim to enhance the standard of living and quality of life in the emirate.”