CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

The Standards of Practice set out minimum standards of professional and ethical conduct required of registrants of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College), in accordance with the College’s mandate to protect the public from unprofessional, incompetent, and unfit practitioners.

The Standards of Practice, which have been approved by the College Council and implemented by bylaw, provide a means to guide College registrants, assess their behaviour, and adjudicate issues of professional practice.

The Standards of Practice apply to the breadth and scope of social work and social service work practice; they are to be applied by College registrants in their practice using their professional judgment in conjunction with any applicable legislation. Within the scope of practice for each profession, there may be variations in approaches and College registrants may modify their interventions in response to the demands of a particular situation so long as the Standards of Practice are met.

Download the revised Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice (effective September 8, 2023)DOWNLOAD

Code of Ethics Explanatory Note Scope of Practice for Social Work Scope of Practice for Social Service Work Principle I: Relationship with Clients Principle II: Competence and Integrity Principle III: Responsibility to Clients Principle IV: The Social Work and Social Service Work Record Principle V: Confidentiality Principle VI: Fees Principle VII: Advertising and Communications Principle VIII: Sexual Misconduct Glossary

Download a copy of the previous version of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Handbook, Second Edition (effective July 1, 2008 to September 7, 2023).

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CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

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