The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is pleased to share the following updates and resources to support members’ practice.
2022 Continuing Competence Program
CCP overview: A condition of registration with the College
Your registration with the College demonstrates to the public that you are qualified and current in your practice – that you continue to learn and develop as a professional. In accordance with the Registration Regulation made under the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, all members must provide evidence of their continuing competence to practise social work or social service work, according to the guidelines set by the College.
The Continuing Competence Program (CCP) is mandatory for all members of the College (except those holding a retired class of certificate of registration), and includes those who are not currently practising, are members of the inactive class, are on maternity, parental or sick leave, or who registered late in the year.
You are required to:
- Review the Standards of Practice every year.
- Complete a self-assessment based on those principles.
- Set goals and carry out learning activities based on their self-assessment.
Required readings for 2022 CCP
As part of the 2022 CCP, you are required to review – along with the Standards of Practice – the following practice resources:
Helpful CCP resources
Your participation in the CCP demonstrates your commitment to professional and ethical practice. We encourage you to watch this educational video which provides you with a snapshot of the CCP requirements.
The “Committed to Competence” webinar provides an overview of the history of the College’s CCP, its requirements and answers members’ most frequently asked questions. The webinar also explains how you may use your own lived experiences as learning activities, where appropriate, and direct your own learning as part of the CCP.
Please visit the College website for more information on CCP learning activities, documents, evaluation, frequently asked questions and more. For all CCP-related inquiries, please contact the Professional Practice Department at ccp@ocswssw.org.
Ethical and competent responses to anti-Indigenous racism – a conversation with Cheryl McPherson, RSW
As shared in a December eBulletin, the College’s Director of Professional Practice, Christina Van Sickle, RSW, met with Cheryl McPherson, RSW, to discuss the intersection of social work and social service work practice and Indigenous worldviews. Their conversation is in a spoken-word format inspired by the rich storytelling traditions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples living in Canada.
This practice resource can be viewed as a full-length video or in seven segmented videos on the College website.
Reminder – FAQs on cross-jurisdictional practice
The College continues to receive a high number of inquiries related to cross-jurisdictional practice. As previously noted in communications to members we have developed frequently asked questions to offer some guidance on this topic, including the following:
Q: I’m registered as a member of the College. Am I allowed to practise in other provinces/jurisdictions?
A: College members who are wondering whether they can provide services to clients who live outside Ontario are advised to contact the regulatory body of the province or jurisdiction where the client is located to determine the requirements of the regulatory body in that province or jurisdiction. Members in this situation are also advised to seek legal advice and contact their professional liability insurance provider before providing services.
Q: I’m registered as a member of the College, but not currently living in Ontario. Am I permitted to provide care and services to clients who live in Ontario?
A: Members of the College are permitted to practise in Ontario, whether or not they reside here. Practice may include direct or indirect, clinical or non-clinical care or services.
Read all FAQs on cross-jurisdictional practice
Please contact the Professional Practice Department at practice@ocswssw.org for all practice-related inquiries.