MANDATE
The Standards, Accreditation, and Monitoring Division (SAMD) is mandated to regulate and uphold national standards in the delivery of adoption and alternative child care services. Its core functions include the accreditation of Adoption Social Workers, the certification of Social Work Agencies, and the monitoring of compliance with relevant laws and regulatory guidelines. In support of these functions, SAMD shall advocate policies, build capacities, and provide technical assistance to strengthen programs and services, thereby ensuring adherence to established standards and the protection of the best interests of children nationwide.
The need for a dedicated regulatory division emerged as early as 2023 in response to the prolonged stay of children in care facilities, with only a few being case-managed for adoption and alternative child care; the limited number of accredited Child-Placing Agencies (CPAs) and the insufficient capacity of Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDOs) to manage the surge in administrative adoption cases under Republic Act No. 11642; and the growing demand for efficient, child-centered case management. The introduction of the Adoption Social Worker role under RA 11642, or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, further expanded the scope of regulation, underscoring the need for targeted oversight and capacity building.
In response, the Standards, Accreditation, and Monitoring Division (SAMD) was established under Administrative Order No. 1, s. 2025, as one of the key divisions of the National Authority for Child Care (NACC). It serves as the lead unit in setting, enforcing, and monitoring standards for Social Work Agencies (SWAs), particularly Child-Caring Agencies (CCAs) and Child-Placing Agencies (CPAs), that implement or starting to implement adoption and alternative child care (AACC) programs and services.
SAMD’s core functions include:
- Assessment and certification of Social Work Agencies implementing AACC programs and services;
- Accreditation of Adoption Social Workers and oversight of their compliance with professional and ethical standards; and
- Monitoring, evaluation, and provision of technical assistance to ensure that accredited and certified agencies and practitioners consistently meet prescribed service standards.
FORMS
FUNCTIONS
The SAMD performs the following functions in the regulation and quality assurance of Adoption and Alternative Child Care (AACC) programs and services:
- Formulate, update, and enforce guidelines, policies, and standards for Social Work Agencies (SWAs) and Adoption Social Workers to ensure alignment with national child care laws, policies, and NACC directives.
- Assess, certify, accredit, and monitor SWAs and Adoption Social Workers to uphold ethical practices, professional standards, and compliance with NACC requirements.
- Oversee and evaluate compliance with adoption and alternative child care program standards through regular assessments and monitoring, and recommend corrective or preventive measures when necessary.
- Provide technical assistance and capacity-building interventions, including resource augmentation, to strengthen the capabilities of SWAs and support sustained adherence to AACC standards.
- Receive and validate referrals or complaints involving unregistered or non-compliant Social Work Agencies (SWAs), and endorse verified reports to the DSWD Standards Bureau for appropriate action in accordance with existing laws, policies, and regulatory guidelines.
- Maintain a centralized and secure database of accredited and certified SWAs, Adoption Social Workers, and relevant program data to support evidence-based policy formulation, planning, and program management.
Identify regulatory gaps and recommend policy measures to improve the implementation of standards, accreditation, and certification processes.
SERVICES
- CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION AND ALTERNATIVE CHILD CARE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES (CAACCPS) IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SOCIAL WORK AGENCIES (SWAs)
The CAACCPS in all public and private SWAs is a regulatory and quality assurance mechanism of the NACC that evaluates Social Work Agencies (SWAs), Child-Caring Agencies (CCAs), LGU and DSWD Residential Care Facilities, and Child-Placing Agencies (CPAs) implementing and planning to implement Adoption and Alternative Child Care Programs and Services (AACCPS).
Through this service, the NACC, through the Standards, Accreditation, and Monitoring Division (SAMD), assesses the agency’s compliance with prescribed indicators and minimum standards on Program Management, Case Management, and Helping Strategies and Interventions.
Agencies found compliant with the standards are granted a Certificate of Recognition from the NACC, signifying their adherence to national benchmarks in the delivery of quality, child-centered adoption and alternative child care services. This certification reinforces the agency’s credibility, promotes accountability, and ensures that children under care are provided with the highest standards of professional and ethical service.
From June to October 2025, the SAMD, in collaboration with the Rgional Alternative Child Care Offices (RACCOs) Standards, Accreditation, and Monitoring Sections and the DSWD Standards Bureau (SB), conducted a series of Certification Assessments of SWAs implementing AACCPS. A total of twenty-one (21) SWAs across various regions were assessed during this period. The assessments were conducted either jointly with the DSWD Standards Bureau or independently by NACC (per NACC-SB Guidance Note on the conduct of Assessments), pursuant to the provisions of NACC Memorandum Circular No. 3, series of 2024, which prescribes the certification process for SWAs implementing AACCPS.
Of the total number of SWAs assessed, nineteen (19) were found to be Fully Certified, one (1) was Conditionally Approved, and one (1) was Not Certified pending full compliance with NACC standards and requirements. These outcomes reflect the SAMD’s strengthened regulatory role and continuing efforts to professionalize and standardize service delivery among SWAs nationwide.
- ACCREDITATION OF ADOPTION SOCIAL WORKER
The Accreditation of Adoption Social Worker is a regulatory service of the NACC-SAMD designed to professionalize, standardize, and ensure the quality of social work practice in the field of Adoption and Alternative Child Care (AACC).
Social workers play a critical role in protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of children deprived of parental care. They are responsible for assessing the circumstances of children, evaluating the suitability of prospective adoptive and foster parents, and facilitating case management processes that uphold the best interests of the child as mandated under Republic Act No. 11642, otherwise known as the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act.
This accreditation service institutionalizes the recognition of qualified and competent social workers who meet the prescribed standards of professional experience, ethical conduct, and technical proficiency in managing adoption and alternative care cases. It ensures that only duly accredited practitioners, licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and trained in accordance with NACC guidelines, are authorized to deliver adoption and alternative child care services.
By implementing this service, NACC reaffirms its commitment to promoting professional integrity, accountability, and excellence among social workers, while ensuring that every child in need of permanent family care is served by capable and compassionate professionals guided by law, ethics, and best practice standards.
- STANDARDS COMPLIANCE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
This service ensures that SWAs implementing and planning to implement Adoption and Alternative Child Care Programs and Services (AACCPS) maintain full compliance with the standards, indicators, and regulatory provisions set forth under NACC Memorandum Circular No. 3, s. 2024 and RA No. 11642.
Through close coordination with RACCO and Standards, Accreditation, and Monitoring Sections (SAMS), SAMD conducts periodic monitoring visits, desk reviews, and validation of compliance indicators covering Program Management, Case Management, and Helping Strategies and Interventions.
When gaps, deficiencies, or risks to compliance are identified, SAMD provides targeted technical assistance, including mentoring, coaching, and development of corrective action plans to guide agencies toward sustained compliance and quality improvement.
This service strengthens accountability, ensures adherence to the best interest of the child principle, and promotes consistency and transparency in the delivery of AACC programs nationwide.
- INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT
The Institutional Capacity Enhancement Service builds and strengthens the competencies of SWAs, Local Government Units (LGUs), and social workers engaged in the delivery of adoption and alternative child care services.
Anchored on the capacity-building provisions of MC 3, s. 2024, this service supports agencies in understanding and applying NACC standards, certification indicators, and case management protocols. SAMD designs and implements structured training, learning sessions, and technical orientations focusing on program compliance, documentation, case handling, and ethical practice in line with Republic Act No. 11642 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations
FLOWCHART
PROCESS FLOWCHART FOR THE ASSESSMENT VISIT AND ISSUANCE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR ADOPTION AND ALTERNATIVE CHILD CARE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
