FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, please contact:

Glenda McDonald, M.S.W., RSW, Registrar

(416) 972-9882 ext. 201

gmcdonald@ocswssw.org

Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services Releases its Report on the Five-Year Review of the Social Work and Social Service Work Act

Toronto, ON – November 1, 2006 - The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers is pleased to receive the Minister's final report on the five year review of the Social Work and Social Service Work Act.   The review began in 2005 and the College welcomed the opportunity to make submissions to the Ministry and participate throughout the consultation process.

The College believes the report endorses that the legislative framework set out in the Act accomplishes the objectives of public protection, quality social work and social service work practice and accountability. The report also confirms that the scope of practice is the responsibility of the College and the professions, and that the public interest is well served by the legislation protecting the titles social worker/registered social worker and social service worker/registered social service worker.

The College continues to be committed to its role of regulating the two professions in the public interest and looks forward to working with the government on the implementation of the recommendations made by the Minister in her report.

For a full copy of the report, please visit
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/publications/reviewSSWA.htm

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About the College
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers was created when the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998 was proclaimed on August 15, 2000.  The College protects the interest of the public by regulating the practice of social work and social service work and promoting excellence in practice. College membership is required for any person in Ontario who wishes to use the title social worker or social service worker and/or registered social worker or registered social service worker or holds out expressly or by implication that he or she is a social worker or a social service worker or a registered social worker or a registered social service worker.