How to Find a Social Worker or Social Service Worker on the OCSWSSW Public Register
Employing registered social workers (RSWs) and registered social service workers (RSSWs) demonstrates that you are committed to delivering professional, ethical, qualified and accountable care and services to the clients your organization serves. But how can you confirm whether or not the candidate you are thinking of hiring is registered with the College? The answer can be found with a simple click of a mouse!
As mandated by the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998, the College maintains a Public Register, which can be accessed on the College’s website. The College’s Online Register lists all RSWs and RSSWs in Ontario and includes information regarding a member’s registration status, discipline history (if any) and current employer contact information. This is one of the ways the College fulfills its mandate of public protection.
[ocswssw_gray_callout]In Ontario, only a registered College member can use the title or hold themselves out as a social worker or social service worker.[/ocswssw_gray_callout]
How Do I Use the Public Register
To use the Public Register, follow these steps:
- Visit the College’s Online Register.
- Read the Public Register’s Terms of Use. If you agree, check the “I agree to the Terms of Use” checkbox and click “SUBMIT,” which will take you to the Public Register.
- Search for an RSW or RSSW by entering at least one of the following: registration number, first name, last name or previous name.
- Click the “Search” button to see the results.
- Click the member’s name to view their registration status and discipline history, if any.
Important Note: To determine whether or not an individual is currently a member of the College, you must click on their name to view their registration status and other relevant information.
Can’t Find the Individual on the Register?
If the person for whom you are searching does not appear on the College’s Public Register, inquire further by addressing this with the candidate or by contacting the College at info@ocswssw.org.
The Benefit of Hiring Registered College Members
The College ensures all our registered members:
- Meet specific registration and educational requirements.
- Adhere to the College’s Code of Ethics and Standards
of Practice. - Engage in continued mandatory professional learning.
As an employer of a registered College member, you also have a certain level of protection in that the College enforces a rigorous complaints and discipline process if a member fails to conduct themselves in a professional or ethical manner.
Before you hire, make sure the candidate’s name is not missing from our Public Register. It’s good practice to check!
[ocswssw_btn_magenta url=”http://www.ocswssw.org/employers/communique/signup/” target=”self” size=”regular”]SIGN UP FOR THE EMPLOYER COMMUNIQUÉ![/ocswssw_btn_magenta]