Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers: 80 Bloor Street W. Suite 700, Toronto, ON M5S 2V1 Phone: 416-972-9882 Fax: 416-972-1512 www.ocswssw.org search tips  sitemap
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Continuing Competence Program Update

According to the Registration Regulation made under the Social Work and Social Service Work Act and in keeping with the public protection mandate of the college, a condition of a certificate of registration is that the member “must provide evidence satisfactory to the college of the member’s continuing competence to practise social work or social service work, as the case may be, in accordance with the guidelines approved by Council from time to time and published and distributed to the members of the College.”
 

The College has developed a Continuing Competence Program to ensure that members meet professional and ethical standards, and that practice enhancement takes place in an ongoing way. In developing the Program, the College researched continuing competence programs of other regulatory bodies in Ontario, other Canadian provinces, and the United States.

The Continuing Competence Program is based on an adult education model. It requires members to review their professional responsibilities, conduct a self-assessment, identify learning objectives, develop and implement a learning plan, and evaluate their progress. Once the Program is implemented, members will be required to make an annual declaration to the College of their participation in the Program.

In 2004, the College conducted Phase 1 of its consultation on the Continuing Competence Program to identify and resolve potential problems with the program in order to enhance its usefulness to members.  Based on the feedback from Phase 1, the College made revisions and began Phase 2 in May 2008.  Cathexis Consulting Inc., an independent research firm, is conducting a survey of purposefully-selected members which allows for feedback on the revisions based on the recommendations from Phase 1.  This is the final phase of the consultation and based on its findings, the program will be finalized and brought before the College Council for approval before being launched with members. 


 
For more information, contact Nancy Martin, Professional Practice Associate at 416-972-9882 ext. 225 or nmartin@ocswssw.org.

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