Title Protection: Protecting the Public from Unregulated Practitioners

In August 2018, the College launched the Unregulated Practitioners webpage, located in the Public section of the College website. This page lists court proceedings that have been initiated or are in the process of being initiated against unregulated practitioners. It is just one of a number of new and ongoing initiatives developed to enhance the College’s regulatory effectiveness as it fulfills its mandate to protect the public interest.

How can the Unregulated Practitioners webpage help you as an employer?

We believe that a listing of unregulated practitioners helps to protect the public from unqualified, incompetent or unfit practitioners. We also believe that the listing should help you when interviewing candidates in your organization.

Registered social workers and registered social service workers are required to identify themselves as such in the course of their practice. This would also be expected of them when they are applying for employment. A quick check of the College’s Online Register will confirm their registration status and mitigate risk to your organization. If you do not find your candidate’s name, be sure to check the Unregulated Practitioners page to confirm if they are the subject of court proceedings.

It is illegal for an individual to hold out expressly or by implication that they are a social worker or social service worker in Ontario without being registered with the College. If you are aware of any individual who is illegally using a protected title and/or holding themselves out as a social worker or social service worker, please report this to the College at titleprotection@ocswssw.org.

We know you strive to provide quality care to the clients your organization serves. Title protection is as important to you as an employer as it is to our members. By reporting individuals who use the protected titles illegally, you help to protect the public from unqualified, incompetent or unfit practitioners. Visit the Unregulated Practitioners webpage for more information.