Equity and Inclusion Data

The Equity and Inclusion Data initiative is based on the fundamental principle that only what is measured can be effectively understood and improved. The initiative was developed to help identify and monitor systemic racism and discrimination within the professions of social work and social service work.

Through the collection of this data we aim to:

• Provide insight into the degree to which the diversity of the Ontario public is reflected in College registration.
• Highlight any disparities and systemic barriers which will support evidence-based decision-making.
• Understand what the demographics of Ontario social workers and social service workers looks like in terms of self-identified dimensions of diversity.
• Identify and monitor systemic racism and discrimination for the purpose of advancing and promoting equity.

As we move forward with this initiative, we look forward to sharing more on how these goals will be achieved.

We believe it is our social responsibility to collect this data. As the provincial regulator of social workers and social service workers, we acknowledge that the College is privileged in our ability to be the only organization that is in the position to collect demographic data on Ontario social workers and social service workers. We are committed to collecting this data in a respectful, responsible and equitable way.

Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, the College is legally authorized and has a legal responsibility to collect this data. The Code allows for the collection and analysis of demographic data, as long as the data is collected for purposes consistent with the Code, such as to monitor discrimination, identify and remove systemic barriers, address historical disadvantage and promote equity. Under the Code, an organization that chooses not to collect data in situations where data collection is allowed may not be able to argue that it did not discriminate under the Code.

Registrants will be invited to share demographic information on a voluntary basis when they renew their registration each year.

• The Equity and Inclusion Questions will be completely voluntary; registrants who choose not to answer any of these questions will still be able to complete the renewal process.
• We will invite registrants to share only as much as is comfortable. They can choose to answer some, all or none of the questions and may opt out at any time by either choosing “prefer not to answer” for multiple choice questions or typing in “N/A” for open-ended questions.
• No program, service or benefit will be withheld if registrants do not answer the questions.
• Data will be stored in a secure system and access to the data will be limited to a small number of College staff.
• Data provided by each registrant will be kept confidential.
• Registrants can withdraw their consent and request that the College remove or stop using their information at any time.

The College will analyze and report on the collected data.

• The data will be reported on only in the aggregate – registrants will not be able to be identified by the data they choose to submit.
• Data reporting will not perpetuate stereotypes of specific groups.

We acknowledge our influence and our responsibility towards the Ontario public and the professions of social workers and social service workers. We recognize there are limitations within our regulatory role to fully address systemic barriers and are committed to engaging, partnering and collaborating with other organizations dedicated to actioning changes for better outcomes.

Initially, our intention is to use the data collected to:

• obtain a benchmark of the demographics of College registrants;
• provide insight into the degree to which the diversity of the Ontario public is reflected in College registration; and
• identify gaps and disparities between registrants and the Ontario public.

Once we have this benchmark, we can use the data collected to address systemic barriers and inform equity initiatives to better serve the Ontario public.

Within our role as a regulator, we can use the data collected to action initiatives such as:

• Developing practice supports and programs that will assist registrants in better serving communities. This could include resources such as cultural competency and cultural humility training.
• Expanding our government relations efforts to include recommendations that will promote equity at the educational level – for example, we could highlight the need for the government to consider offering additional scholarships and financial supports for individuals from communities that are underrepresented in the professions of social work and social service work.

By collecting, analyzing and reporting on the data, we will have the opportunity to engage, partner and collaborate with other organizations who can advocate for changes that are beyond our organizational limitations. We are excited to:

• Partner with organizations, such as the Ontario Association of Social Workers and the Ontario Social Service Worker Association who have the capability to advocate for more diverse representation within the professions.
• Collaborate with employers to assist them in finding ways to identify strategies around better serving their communities, as well as addressing the disparities within their organizations.
• Collaborate with educators to assist them in finding ways to identify strategies to attract students from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

We recognize that through this initiative we are inviting registrants to self-identify and share personal information. There is an inherent vulnerability that exists with disclosure and we are committed to the safety, protection and privacy of each person and the information shared with us. In addition to keeping the data in a secure system, we will never:

• Use or report the data in any way that could identify an individual registrant.
• Use the data for purposes with intention to impact, harm or discriminate against a registrant. For example, the data will never be used in any complaints or discipline processes, or be checked against a registrant’s safe practice registration requirement.
• Use or report the data to perpetuate stereotypes of specific groups.

Seeking multiple perspectives and embedding lived experiences into our process is important to us and to our goal of authentic inclusion. Throughout the development of this initiative, we sought guidance, consultation and direction from a wide range of communities and organizations.

The College worked with Uppala Chandrasekera, MSW, RSW, who was pivotal in the early development of this initiative. Uppala is the Director of Public Health at Toronto Public Health. She has developed and led the creation of equity and inclusion policies at other organizations such as the Toronto Police Services Board, Mount Sinai Hospital and the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Additionally, we have consulted with key stakeholders including the following organizations:

• The Anti-Racism Directorate of Ontario
• The Ontario Human Rights Commission
• CAMH
• The 519
• The Alliance for Healthier Communities
• The Citizen Advisory Group

This list, while not exhaustive, provides examples of the types of key stakeholders we engaged with to develop the initiative.  Conversations with stakeholders have been ongoing rather than one-time touchpoints.

Feedback on this initiative from College registrants is very important to us and we invited them to share their insights via an anonymous online survey in spring 2023.