August 2008
 
Fact Sheet

• On December 16, 1998 the Ontario government passed Bill 76, the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998. This legislation established the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
• A 21-member Council representing equally social workers, social service workers and the public governs the College.

Current number of members: 12,284

• Anyone who holds themself out to be a "social worker," "registered social worker," "social service worker," and "registered social service worker" in Ontario must be a member of the College. Anyone who fails to comply is guilty of a provincial offence and, upon conviction, subject to a fine of up to $5,000 for a first offence and up to $10,000 for each subsequent offence.
• Any person may request a copy of all or part of the Register of the College to confirm if a person is a member of the College. Requests must be made in writing.
• The College’s primary duty is to serve and protect the public interest.

General Objects & Duties:

• To regulate the practice of social work and the practice of social service work and to govern its members.
• To develop, establish and maintain qualifications for membership in the College.
• To provide for the ongoing education of members of the College.
• To issue certificates of registration to members of the College and to renew, amend, suspend, cancel, revoke and reinstate those certificates.
• To establish and enforce professional standards and ethical standards applicable to members of the College.
• To receive and investigate complaints against members of the College and to deal with issues of discipline, professional misconduct, incompetence and incapacity.
• To promote high standards and quality assurance with respect to social work and social service work and to communicate with the public on behalf of the members.
• To perform the additional functions prescribed by the regulations.

History

• Dec. 16, 1998, Bill 76, the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998 passed.
• June 15, 1999:  transitional Council appointed.
• January 2000: first applications received at the College.
• February, 2000: Glenda McDonald, M.S.W., appointed Registrar by transitional Council.
• June 15, 2000: first election for Council held.
• Aug. 15, 2000: Act fully proclaimed.
• October, 2000: College moves to permanent office space at 80 Bloor Street West.
• November 21, 2000: First elected and appointed Council took office.
• July 15, 2005 : College moves to new office space at 250 Bloor Street East, Suite 1000.