College Updates

The Office of the Chief Coroner has informed the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) of the outcome of a review by the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) and sought the College’s support in actioning one of its recommendations. This eBulletin is intended to address the DVDRC’s recommendation by: Sharing information about the DVDRC review with registrants. Reminding registrants of their professional obligations to ensure risk assessment tools are…

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The College is pleased to invite registrants to participate in the following interactive events to support their practice: Join us for an informational session on the revised Practice Guidelines for Consent and Confidentiality with Children and Youth As mentioned in an eBulletin on December 3, 2025, the Practice Guidelines for Consent and Confidentiality with Children and Youth have been updated to reflect current practice and provide specific guidance to registrants. The revised Practice Guidelines can be accessed…

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Starting January 1, 2026, social workers already registered in good standing in another Canadian jurisdiction who meet specific requirements and provide the required documentation to the College will receive notice from the College that they are deemed certified. This certification allows them to work in Ontario for a one-time six-month period. For more information, review this resource.

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Please note that the College will be closed as of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 and will reopen on Monday, January 5, 2026. Registrants may contact the College at info@ocswssw.org for assistance with the Online Portal and their annual renewal of registration. We wish everyone health and happiness this holiday season!

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As the winter months approach, shorter days and colder weather can weigh heavily on our wellbeing. During this season, knowing where to turn for help becomes even more critical, and that’s where registered social workers and social service workers can help. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming when seeking support – be sure that you are connecting with a professional who is not only supportive but also qualified, ethical and accountable. The…

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The College is pleased to announce that the Practice Guidelines for Consent and Confidentiality with Children and Youth have been updated to reflect current practice and provide specific guidance to registrants. Registrants who work with children and youth must review the updated guidelines to ensure that they are following the most up-to-date guidance. The updated Practice Guidelines can be accessed on the College’s website. What do the updates include? Updates incorporate the following practice considerations: Guidance on assessing…

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The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is pleased to share that social service workers are now recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as authorized medical practitioners for the purpose of the medical expense tax credit. This means that your clients may be eligible to submit a portion of the costs of their sessions with you on their taxes. In the summer of 2025, the Ontario Social Service Worker Association (OSSWA)…

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Registrants can now renew their registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) for 2026. As part of the renewal, you will be asked to provide confirmation of your participation in the Continuing Competence Program (CCP) for 2025. The deadline to complete your 2026 renewal and payment is December 31, 2025. Registrants who do not renew by the deadline risk having their certificate of registration suspended for non-payment of…

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The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is pleased to share some updates on the Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative. What is the Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative? The Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative is one way we are actioning our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. It is based on the fundamental principle that only what is measured can be truly understood and improved. Through the collection of this data…

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This is a reminder that as of October 1, 2025, the registration requirements for all College applicants now include submitting a vulnerable sector check. The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is introducing a vulnerable sector check as part of its registration requirements as an additional tool to safeguard the public from potential harm. This additional registration requirement also aligns the College with other regulatory bodies, including other Canadian social…

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The OCSWSSW is inviting internationally trained applicants to complete a survey regarding their experience with third-party credential assessment agencies, the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW), World Education Services (WES Canada) and International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS Canada).  Your feedback is important in ensuring that the credential assessment agencies provide timely and fair credential assessment services to OCSWSSW applicants. The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. We would appreciate you sharing…

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