BEIJING —China's child welfare institutions will offer professional social work services and see each social worker is responsible for a maximum of 40 children.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs on April 27 said it has approved the release of a guideline for the social work services of child welfare institutions, which, for the first time, clarifies requirements for institutions carrying out social work.

Their social work should be focused on the proper placement of children in need, prioritizing permanent placement and offering whole-process services, according to the guideline.

Since 2006, many child welfare institutions in China have explored ways to carry out social work.