News

Message from the Registrar – Entry-to-Practice Exams

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is aware of concerns circulating over the College’s decision to implement entry-to-practice exams for all applicants. We would like to take this opportunity to respond and provide some important clarification. ASWB Exam Pass Rate Analysis In August 2022, the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) published an Exam Pass Rate Analysis, which included data indicating that racialized candidates have historically had lower exam…

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Illegal Practitioner Criminally Charged

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) is advising Ontarians of an illegal social work practitioner who now faces criminal charges. Katayoon Masoumi Rad, also known as Kathy Masoumirad, Kathy Mehranian and Kathy M. Rad, has been practising illegally in Woodbridge, Ontario and fraudulently using the name and credentials of a former OCSWSSW registrant to provide social work services. The Durham Regional Police Services has charged Katayoon Masoumi Rad with fraud related…

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Professional Practice Update: Educational Forum Video Now Online and 2022 CCP Reminder

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is sharing the following information and resources to support your practice. Educational Forum Video Now Available Online! The College held its virtual Educational Forum on October 19, 2022. This year’s Forum featured an update from College Registrar and CEO Lise Betteridge, MSW, RSW, and a thought-provoking keynote address entitled The Journey to Unity: Disrupting Racism and Decolonizing Child Welfare, presented by Sherrie Moore,…

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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights – November 15, 2022

Chisanga Chekwe, Public Member, shared some of his reflections on his own learnings and experiences with respect to Reconciliation and the land. Task Group Co-Chair, Brian Seng-Low, welcomed Task Group members to the meeting. The minutes from the September 20, 2022 meeting of the Task Group were reviewed. Lise Betteridge, Registrar and CEO, advised the Task Group that Council approved amendments to Bylaw No. 1 which added the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee to the…

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College Update: From “Member” to “Registrant”

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is gradually moving towards using the term “registrant” – rather than “member” – when referring to individuals registered with the College. The decision to use the term “registrant” was made by the College Council as a result of the College’s governance review process and underscores the College’s role as a regulator rather than an association. The governance review process The College is committed…

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Before You Hire, Check the Online Register

Are you an employer who is in the process of hiring a social worker or social service worker? If you are, please remember to check the College’s Online Register! The College maintains an Online Register of social workers and social service workers as part of its public protection mandate. This easy-to-use tool contains information regarding a registrant’s registration status, discipline history – if any – and employer contact information. An employer’s role As an employer,…

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Online Applications Now Available to Additional Practitioners

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is pleased to announce that online applications are now available to additional practitioners, including those applying through the equivalency stream and those who were previously registered with the College. This will streamline the application process and allow for additional practitioners to register with the College more easily. The equivalency stream is available to those who do not have a degree in social work…

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OCSWSSW Renewals Now Open!

You can now renew your registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) for 2023. The deadline to complete your renewal and payment for the year 2023 is December 31, 2022. Keeping your registration with the College is important. Only professionals registered with the College are allowed to use the titles “social worker,” “registered social worker,” “social service worker” or “registered social service worker.” RENEW YOUR REGISTRATION! New registrants…

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Election Results RE: Council Vacancy in District No. 2 – Social Service Work Category

On Friday, October 28, the elected members of Council voted to fill the Council vacancy for the social service work category in Electoral District No. 2. The following registrant is the candidate who received the greatest number of votes: Sandra Sidsworth, RSSW Sandra will join Council for the remainder of the term, which is until the first Council meeting after the next election in District 2, scheduled for May 2025. Role of Council members Council…

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Coming Soon: Member Renewals 2023

As a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, you must pay your membership fees annually, by December 31. Keeping your membership current is important. It demonstrates your commitment to professional, ethical, qualified and accountable practice. It also says something important about the professions of social work and social service work as a whole, and about you as an individual practitioner. The renewal season will commence in mid November 2022.…

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Call for Expressions of Interest: Inclusive Communications Assessment

Attention service users and the Ontario public: The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is working in collaboration with AndHumanity, an inclusive marketing agency, to assess its overall marketing and communication initiatives and identify opportunities to be more inclusive of service users. If you are interested in participating, please complete the screening questions at the following link: Call-out to the public form  We are specifically seeking feedback from those who…

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Message from the Registrar and CEO: The Journey Towards Good Governance

What is good governance? This is a question regulatory boards and staff frequently ask themselves, and one which I also reflect on in my role as Registrar and CEO of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. In the regulatory context, good governance is the framework that ensures that colleges like ours operate in an environment of continuous improvement and are well-positioned to make decisions in the public interest. In this sense,…

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