Background, Policy Drivers, and Legal Architecture of Social Work in Morocco (2020-2026)
Transition from a regulatory vacuum to a state-accredited profession, the hierarchy of legal texts in force (Law 45-18, Decree 2-22-604, Orders 827-25 and 2275-25), and interaction with Law 65-15 on Social Welfare Institutions.
1From a Regulatory Vacuum to a State-Accredited Profession
For several decades, social work in Morocco developed over time through the work of the National Mutual Aid agency (Entraide Nationale, established in 1957), the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH, launched in 2005), civil society organizations, and Social Welfare Institutions (Établissements de Protection Sociale, EPS). Until 2021, however, no dedicated statute defined or protected the professional title of "social worker" (العامل الاجتماعي).
This legal vacuum created three major structural weaknesses highlighted in the 2020 opinion of the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (CESE) on Draft Law No. 45.18:
- Lack of protection for vulnerable service users: Anyone could claim to practice as a special needs educator, social worker, family mediator, or school life assistant without verified academic credentials, criminal background screening, or an enforceable code of ethics.
- Precarious employment conditions for field practitioners: Between 35,000 and 45,000 social workers were employed across associations, foundations, and residential care centers without a national qualification framework or statutory recognition of their profession.
- Blurring of boundaries between charity, volunteering, and professional intervention: Social work was frequently conflated with informal volunteering within community organizations, hindering the professionalization of complex care services (child protection, disability inclusion, gender-based violence support, elder care, and post-prison reintegration).
Building on the 2011 Constitution, the social protection reform launched under royal leadership, and the reform of Social Welfare Institutions (Law No. 65.15), the Moroccan legislature established social work as a regulated profession subject to prior administrative accreditation.
2The Three-Tier Regulatory Hierarchy in Force (2021 to 2026)
The legal framework governing the profession rests on a three-tier normative structure:
| Normative Tier | Official Text Reference | Adoption and Publication in the Official Bulletin (BO) | Primary Purpose and Legal Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Legislation (Statute) | Law No. 45.18 (promulgated by Dahir No. 1.21.95) | July 26, 2021 (15 Dhu al-Hijjah 1442) BO No. 7010 of August 5, 2021 |
Defines the social worker, the 4 major intervention domains, eligibility requirements for Moroccan and foreign nationals, practice modes (salaried and independent), ethical duties, professional secrecy, regional associations, the National Federation, and administrative and criminal sanctions. |
| Implementing Decree | Decree No. 2.22.604 | April 22, 2024 (13 Shawwal 1445) BO No. 7298 of May 9, 2024 |
Designates the competent governmental authority (Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration, and the Family), establishes the 10-member Intersectoral Committee (Article 8), defines the 18 professional categories and their branches in its official schedule, sets the 60-day accreditation procedure, and governs transitional arrangements (Articles 9 to 17). |
| Ministerial Order on Qualifying Diplomas | Ministerial Order No. 827.25 | March 25, 2025 (24 Ramadan 1446) BO No. 7409 of June 2, 2025 |
Establishes the official list of 74 national diplomas, certificates, and training institutions granting direct eligibility for accreditation by domain, category, and professional branch under Article 8 of Law No. 45.18. |
| Ministerial Order on the Independents' Examination | Ministerial Order No. 2275.25 | September 19, 2025 (26 Rabi' I 1447) BO No. 7459 of November 24, 2025 |
Issued under Article 16 of Decree No. 2.22.604: sets the rules for the annual professional proficiency examination for experienced independent social workers who do not hold a diploma listed in Order No. 827.25 (written/oral tests, durations, weights, 10/20 passing score, examination board, 3-year window). |
| Supplementary Implementing Texts | Implementing Orders and Circulars (2025 to 2026) | Second half of 2025 and 2026 | Regulate skills assessment interviews and supplementary training modules for salaried social workers under the transitional regime (Articles 12 to 15 of Decree No. 2.22.604) and operationalize the ICHHAD digital portal. |
3Interaction with Related Moroccan Legislation
Law No. 45.18 operates in close coordination with nine major statutes across the social, healthcare, and judicial sectors:
- Law No. 65.15 on Social Welfare Institutions (EPS): Imposes strict staffing and governance standards on residential and care facilities (child welfare centers, student boarding homes Dar Talib/Taliba, elder care homes, centers for persons with disabilities, emergency shelters). Every social worker employed by an EPS must hold valid accreditation under Law No. 45.18.
- Framework Law No. 09.21 on Social Protection and Law No. 72.18 on the Unified Social Registry (RSU): Rolling out direct social assistance, solidarity health insurance (AMO Tadamoun), and household targeting relies on social workers and social development officers to assist vulnerable families in registering and maintaining their benefits.
- Law No. 15.18 on Contractual Volunteering: Draws a clear legal line between a contractual volunteer (performing a fixed-term public-interest civic assignment in exchange for a flat-rate subsistence allowance that does not constitute a wage) and a professional social worker governed by Law No. 45.18.
- Law No. 103.13 on Combating Violence Against Women: Institutional support and listening units (within courts, hospitals, police departments, and the Royal Gendarmerie) as well as multifunctional women's shelters rely on accredited social workers, reception agents, and family mediators.
- Framework Law No. 97.13 on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Enshrines the right to inclusive education and functional rehabilitation, underpinning the work of special needs educators (Category 7) and personal and social assistants in school settings AVS/AESH (Category 13).
- Law No. 15.01 on the Guardianship (Kafala) of Abandoned Children and the Family Code (Law No. 70.03): Social investigations required for Kafala guardianship, child custody (Hadana), and family conciliation proceedings mobilize legal social workers, family social investigators, and family mediators (Domain 1).
- Law No. 43.22 on Alternative Sentences: Implementing and monitoring alternatives to custodial sentences (community service, supervisory measures, socio-educational follow-up, or therapeutic care) expands the role of reintegration counselors and social workers (Categories 1 and 5).
- Law No. 65.99 enacting the Labor Code: Governs all employment contracts and labor rights of salaried social workers in the private, associative, and foundation sectors.
- Law No. 09.08 on the Protection of Individuals with Regard to the Processing of Personal Data: Governs both the operation of the ICHHAD platform and the handling of beneficiary case files by social workers and employing institutions.