Employer Communiqués

Electronic Practice: An Employer’s Responsibility Around Ethical and Professional Practice

What are an employer’s responsibilities when it comes to their employees’ electronic practice? And how can an employer ensure that their clients are being served ethically and professionally? As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many social work employers have shifted to providing services by electronic means. Electronic practice is the delivery of social work services by the use of electronic device (such as a computer, tablet, smartphone, landline telephone) or any electronic format…

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9 Important Milestones in College History: Marking 20 Years of Public Protection

This year, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers marked its 20-year anniversary. Since its creation, the College has experienced a lot of change – technological, regulatory and, of course, related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The College has also grown as an organization and achieved a great deal over the years, not the least of which is our evolution as a leader in the regulatory community. Acknowledging the College’s 20th anniversary…

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Top 6 Considerations for Virtual Services

As virtual services become more prevalent in all aspects of our lives, College members are using, or considering the use of, different types of communication technology in their practice. Members frequently ask the College’s Professional Practice Department about the type of communication technology and the specific platforms that they should choose when providing virtual services. Communication technology is a broad term which may refer to texting, email, video chat platforms, social media platforms, websites, or…

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What Does It Mean If a College Member’s Certificate of Registration Is Suspended?

A College member may have their certificate of registration suspended for administrative, disciplinary reasons or reasons of incapacity. Such a member cannot engage in the practice of social work or social service work for as long as their certificate is suspended. The College Registrar may suspend the certificate of registration of a social worker or social service worker for what may be considered an administrative reason, including: failure to pay a fee or penalty prescribed…

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Open Discussion: Highlights from the Virtual Sault Ste. Marie Employer Roundtable

In photo: College Registrar and CEO Lise Betteridge (left) and Director of Complaints and Discipline Richelle Samuel (right) host the virtual Employer Roundtable. The College held a virtual Employer Roundtable on October 13, 2020. The event was attended by participants representing 10 organizations, and included a strong presence from Indigenous agencies serving Indigenous communities in the Sault Ste. Marie area. Strengthening stakeholder engagement – a strategic priority Since 2017, the College has hosted Employer Roundtables…

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NEW! Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Webpage

The College recently launched a Equity, Diversity and Inclusion webpage for members, employers and other stakeholders. The new webpage reflects the College’s commitment to continuing its work on issues of equity, diversity and inclusion as they relate to the materials that we develop and our organizational practices and processes. As noted in the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan, College Council identified increasing equity, diversity and inclusion as a strategic priority of the College. The broad objectives within…

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Mandatory Mask-Wearing During COVID-19

Are social workers and social service workers required to wear masks while providing in-person services to clients? The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers is committed to providing practice support to its members. This includes providing health and safety guidance and resources during COVID-19 in an effort to protect the health and well-being of our members as well as the clients and communities they serve. The College has previously issued guidance to…

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The College’s Council Election Results Are In!

The College recently held an election of Council members in Electoral District No. 3. The Electoral District No. 3 is composed of the geographic area within the territorial boundaries of the Counties of Haliburton, Victoria, Peterborough, Northumberland and Simcoe, the Regional Municipalities of Durham, York and Peel and the City of Toronto. Election Results The following members of the College are the candidates who received the greatest number of votes in the election in the…

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Save the Date! Upcoming College Events

The College is moving ahead with its event schedule, but with one notable change. In light of the ongoing impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, many College events this fall 2020 will be hosted entirely online via livestream. Participating in a College event is a great way for College members and their employers to stay up to date on College and broader regulatory affairs, as well as new developments that impact social work and social…

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What Information Is Available on the College’s Online Register?

As part of its mandate to protect the public interest, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers maintains an Online Register of registered social workers (RSWs) and registered social service workers (RSSWs) in Ontario. The Online Register is accessible to the public and contains information required under the Social Work and Social Service Work Act and the College’s bylaws. An easy-to-use tool, the Online Register includes the following information about social workers…

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Further Considerations as Province Implements Stage 1 of its Framework for Reopening

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) anticipates that the Ontario Government’s recent announcement regarding the first stage in Ontario’s reopening framework may prompt questions from members regarding their return to practice. The Government’s announcement included a detailed list of stage 1 openings which can be found here. Members and other stakeholders can also learn more about stage 1 of the Government’s framework here. The College previously provided members with…

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Recent Practice Notes: Administration of Naloxone

The College recently published Practice Notes: Administration of Naloxone, recognizing that social workers and social service workers play an integral role in supporting clients who live with mental health and substance use issues. As a result of the opioid crisis, members may increasingly find themselves in practice situations in which the administration of Naloxone by inhalation or injection is expected as part of their role. The complex issues around the administration of Naloxone highlight the…

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