Cap. 468 Art. 4Social Work Profession Board.

(1) There shall be a Board to be known as the Malta Social Work Profession Board which shall consist of nine (9) members as follows:

(a) five (5) members appointed by the Minister following consultation with any association, if any, registered with the Board in accordance with the provisions of this Act, of whom:

(i) one shall be a chairperson who shall be of recognised standing in the social work profession having at least six years experience in social work practice or social policy;

(ii) one social worker who performs social work duties within the public sector;

(iii) one social worker who performs social work duties within a non-governmental social welfare organisation; and

(iv) one person who shall be an advocate with at least five (5) years experience; and

(v) a registered social worker chosen by the Minister from amongst a list of persons nominated for such purpose by the registered social workers or the associations working in the field of social work in Malta: Provided that in case no person is nominated by the registered social workers or the associations working in the field of social work in Malta, the Minister shall make the appointment from amongst registered social workers;

(b) (i) two members nominated by such associations registered with the Board if any, in accordance with the provisions of this Act and appointed by the Minister;

(ii) one social worker nominated by and from amongst the permanent academic staff responsible for social work and social policy education and training at the University of Malta; and

(iii) one (1) social worker nominated by, and from amongst the permanent academic staff responsible for social work and social policy, education and training at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology: Provided that in relation to the first appointments under this article, ''social worker'' means any person who is qualified to be registered under this Act: Provided further that for the purpose of paragraphs

(a) and (b), the associations to be consulted or to make the nominations in relation to the first appointment shall be any association that has the qualifications to be eventually registered under this Act.

(2) The nominations made in terms of subarticle (1)(b)(i) and

(ii) shall, for the first time be made within two weeks from a request in writing made therefor by the Minister, and for any subsequent nomination, within one month from the occurrence of any vacancy or when the vacancy arises due to the expiry of the term of office within one month prior to the said expiry. In the absence of any such nomination, the Minister shall make the appointment from amongst social workers.

(3) Members of the Board shall hold office for a term of two years: Provided that the term of office for the first members of the Board appointed under subarticle (1)(a)(i), (ii) and (iii), shall be of three years and the second or any subsequent appointment made on the lapse of this initial term shall be for a term of two years.

(4) Members of the Board shall, on the expiration of their term of office, be eligible to be reappointed, but they may not serve the Board for more than three consecutive terms.

(5) In the event that any Board member vacates his office before completing the appointed term, the person appointed in his stead shall be appointed for the unexpired period of the original appointment.

(6) The number of members necessary to form a quorum shall be four, but subject to the presence of a quorum, the Board may act notwithstanding any vacancy among its members.

(7) The Minister shall designate a public officer to act as secretary to the Board, but such secretary shall not have a vote.

(8) The chairperson of the Board shall have both an original vote and, in the case of a tie, a casting vote.

(9) Save as aforesaid and as may be prescribed, the Board may make its own rules and otherwise regulate its own procedures.

(10) The meetings of the Board shall be summoned by the Chairperson and the Board shall meet as often as may be necessary but at least once every three months.

(11) In the exercise of its functions under this Act, the Board may consult with such persons as it may deem appropriate. For such purpose, the Board may invite any such person to attend meetings of the Board.

(12) The Board shall keep a true and correct record of all its proceedings and the Board shall give to the Minister such information as he may require.