Legislation
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) regulates the practice of social work and social service work in Ontario in accordance with the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998 and the regulations and bylaws made under that Act. The primary duty of the College is to serve and protect the public interest.
Regulations
Regulation 383/00 – Registration
Regulation 384/00 – Professional Misconduct
Bylaws
To access the College’s bylaws, please contact the Office of the Registrar at oor@ocswssw.org.
Legislative Submissions
To access the Fair Registration Practice Reports, click here.
OCSWSSW Submission re: Proposed Regulations under the CYFSA (January 25, 2018)
The College recently made a submission to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services in response to the proposed regulations under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA) relating to requirements for qualifications of Children’s Aid Society staff and adoption/adoption licensing (Proposal Numbers 17-CYS034 and 17-CYS020).
College Responds to Draft Regulations Under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 (July 7, 2009)
On June 4, 2007, the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 (LTCHA) received Royal Assent. The purpose of the LTCHA is to improve and strengthen care for residents of long-term care homes. When proclaimed into force, this act would replace the three existing pieces of legislation governing long-term care homes: the Nursing Homes Act, the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act, and the Charitable Institutions Act. In addition, the Long-Term Care Homes Program Manual would cease to exist.
The LTCHA cannot be proclaimed into force until all of the regulations necessary to carry out the Act are drafted, subject to the public consultation requirements set out in the LTCHA, and finalized.
As part of the public consultation process, the OCSWSSW submitted a response to the first set of proposed initial draft regulations under the LTCHA.
HPRAC Critical Links Submission (February 27, 2009)
The College recently made a submission to the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council regarding interprofessional collaboration. The submission was in response to two recent reports submitted by HPRAC to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
View the HPRAC Critical Links Cover Letter
View the HPRAC Critical Links Submission
Interprofessional Collaboration Submission (July 2, 2008)
On June 28, 2007, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care asked the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) to “recommend mechanisms to facilitate and support interprofessional collaboration between health Colleges beginning with the development of standards of practice and professional practice guidelines where regulated health professions share the same or similar controlled acts, acknowledging that individual health Colleges independently govern their professions and establish the competencies for their profession”. The Minister also asked that HPRAC “take into account, when controlled acts are shared, of public expectations for high quality services no matter which health profession is responsible for delivering care or treatment”.
It is hoped that by facilitating and supporting interprofessional collaboration, the overall legislative, regulatory and policy framework will better reflect the changing needs of the healthcare system and the evolving models of delivery of care. As a result, schedule M of the Health System Improvements Act sets out new objects for the health Colleges: To promote and enhance relations between the Colleges and its members, other health profession colleges, key stakeholders and the public; to promote interprofessional collaboration with other health Colleges; and to develop, establish and maintain standards to promote the ability of members to respond to changes in practice environments, advances in technology and other emerging issues.
The College responded to questions contained in a discussion guide that was released by HPRAC in February 2008.
Bill 171 Update – Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy (April 25, 2007)
Second reading debate on Bill 171, the Health System Improvements Act, concluded on April 2, 2007 at which time the Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. The Standing Committee held public hearings on Bill 171 on April 23 – 24, 2007. The College made an oral presentation before the Committee and put forward a written submission. The College continues to be in communication with officials at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ministry of Community and Social Services to secure an amendment to Bill 171 which will provide authorization for social workers to perform the Controlled Act of psychotherapy. This will ensure that social workers are treated no differently than members of the regulated health professions who are authorized to provide psychotherapy services under Bill 171.
Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services Releases its Report on the Five-Year Review (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 copy of the final report, visit Ministry of Community and Social Services publications
Response to HPRAC’s New Directions Report (July 5, 2006)
On May 19, 2006 the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) submitted its report Regulation of Health Professions in Ontario: New Directions to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Hon. George Smitherman, in response to his letter of referral of February 7, 2005. The report followed a year of extensive consultations on a wide range of issues. The OCSWSSW responded in a letter to Mr. Smitherman, commenting on a number of issues, pertaining to the Legislative Framework of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), specifically The Harm Clause, the Doctor Title and Confidentiality Provisions, and to the Regulation of Psychotherapy.
The OCSWSSW has participated in a number of HPRAC consultations including a response to the 2001 HPRAC report Adjusting the Balance, and more recently in regard to the consultation on the currency of, and any additions to, the 2001 HPRAC report, the Regulation of Psychotherapy and the Regulation of Personal Support Workers.
College’s additional submission to Ministry of Community and Social Services’ 5-Year Review (December 5, 2005)
On November 7, 2005, the College submitted the following additional submission to the Ministry of Community and Social Services respecting the five-year review of the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998 (the “Act”). The College’s additional submission comments on three key issues identified in the Ministry Synopsis of issues raised by submissions made in connection with the review of the Act.
College’s submission to Ministry of Community and Social Services’ 5-Year Review (April 19, 2005)
On March 15, 2005, the College submitted the following written submission to the Minister of Community and Social Services on the two questions of the Ministry of Community and Social services in connection with the five-year review of the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998.
Minister Announces 5-year review of Social Work and Social Service Work Act (January 18, 2005)
On January 14, 2005, the Minister of Community and Social Services announced the launch of the Ontario Government’s five-year review of the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998, with a March 15, 2005 deadline for written submissions.
View the Ontario Government’s News Release and its Discussion Paper