Employer Communiqués

FAQs – Social Work and Social Service Work Titles and Designations

As an employer, it is your responsibility to perform due diligence when hiring a social worker or social service worker. The College regularly receives notices from employers about individuals who were hired to work with vulnerable populations as social workers or social service workers, only to find that they are not registered with the College. The College also receives notices of individuals using false names during and after the hiring process. Many of these serious issues…

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We Want Your Feedback: Employer Practices Related to Registration/Renewal Fees

The College is conducting a brief survey to gain insights into employer practices related to registration fees for social workers and social service workers. Your input is invaluable to us, and we would greatly appreciate your participation. To participate in this short two-minute survey, please click here. Your responses will remain confidential. We believe that your insights will help the College gain a better understanding of employer practices for social work and social service work…

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What’s the Difference Between a Social Worker and Social Service Worker?

The difference between a social worker and social service worker? This is one of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers’ (the College) most frequently asked questions. Social workers work with their clients to address challenges through a process of assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation. Social service workers assist clients in dealing with personal and social problems by delivering counselling, community services and social support programs. Both social workers and social service workers assist…

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Message from the Registrar and CEO: Update on the Review of the Standards of Practice

Over the past year, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) has been conducting a comprehensive review of its Standards of Practice. Once approved by Council, the revised Standards of Practice will impact every social worker and social service worker in Ontario, regardless of their area of practice. Supporting employers The Standards of Practice, which set out the minimum standards of professional practice and conduct for College registrants, can support…

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Don’t Miss Out! 2023 Annual Meeting and Education Day

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers is happy to announce that it will be holding its virtual Annual Meeting & Education Day (AMED) on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. AMED is part of the Glenda McDonald Educational Series. Employers are encouraged to share this great educational opportunity with their social work and social service work staff members. College registrants can use their attendance at this year’s AMED towards…

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Supervision and Performing the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy

How much supervision is needed to ensure College registrants are competent to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy? Registrants of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) are permitted to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy provided they do so in compliance with the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, the regulations and the bylaws. Before providing psychotherapy services, College registrants should consider the essential elements needed to determine their…

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“We Are Still Here” – A Woman’s Journey to Healing and Rediscovery

Content/trigger warning: The following article includes information about residential schools, violence against children, intergenerational trauma, systemic and structural racism and oppression and the ongoing impact of colonialism. Readers are encouraged to seek support if needed. Last year, Rita May Fenton stumbled upon her dream journal from 2012. She had a dream about living in a big house with many people coming to visit, called “The Healing Place.” “I’ve always wanted to have a teepee in…

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Practice Notes: Shattered Trust – The Sexual Abuse of Clients

Content/trigger warning: The following article includes information about sexual misconduct. Readers are encouraged to seek support if needed. Download the PDF Practice Notes is an educational tool designed to help Ontario social workers, social service workers, employers and members of the public gain a better understanding of recurring issues dealt with by the College’s Professional Practice Department and Complaints Committee that may affect everyday practice. The notes offer general guidance only and College registrants[1] with…

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Message from the Registrar and CEO: OCSWSSW Takes Steps to Address Increase in Sexual Misconduct-Related Complaints

What Employers Need to Know Over the past two years, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers has witnessed a 107% increase in the number of complaints received related to sexual misconduct. This increase is deeply disturbing. It is also a call to action for employers of social workers and social service workers, who have an ethical obligation to address professional boundary violations if/when they become aware of them, and a legal…

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What Are Professional Boundaries?

The term “professional boundaries” is used to define the set of roles and expectations required of a College registrant in relation to their client. The College registrant has a professional obligation to maintain professional boundaries and ensure that the needs of the client are paramount at all times. In short, professional boundaries require a registrant to only have a professional relationship with their client.  When a registrant engages in conduct with a client that falls…

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What Employers Need to Know About Reporting Sexual Abuse to the College

As an employer you have a responsibility to report sexual abuse, or suspected sexual abuse, committed by your employees to the College. Employers are required to report the termination of a social worker or social service worker’s employment for reasons of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity – which includes sexual abuse. An employer must also file a report if it intended to terminate the registrant’s employment, but the registrant resigned before it could do so.…

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Names Registrants Must Use While Practising

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) has received a number of inquiries about registrants practising under a name that is different from the one they used to register with the College. The following information is intended to clarify what name a registrant must practise under, and how registrants can change or update their name(s) with the College. Requirement to practise using the name you used to register with the…

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