2023 Council Election – Call for Nominations

On Thursday, May 25, 2023, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) will hold an election for registered social workers and registered social service workers in Electoral District No. 3. The College invites all registrants eligible to vote in Electoral District No. 3 to put their names forward as candidates for election to the College Council. The due date for receipt of completed and signed nomination forms is 5 p.m. (EST)…

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Invitation: Inclusivity Assessment Consultations

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is working in collaboration with AndHumanity, an inclusive marketing agency, to assess our overall communication initiatives. Your insights will help inform and support us in identifying opportunities and actions to be more inclusive of both service users and registrants. We recognize that all of our registrants bring different lenses, perspectives, and lived experiences. At this time, we are specifically seeking feedback from Indigenous…

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Names Registrants Must Use While Practising

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) has received a number of inquiries about registrants practising under a name that is different from the one they used to register with the College. The following information is intended to clarify what name a registrant must practise under, and how registrants can change or update their name(s) with the College. Requirement to practise using the name you used to register with the…

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Council Highlights for December 1, 2022

John Fleming, Council Chair, provided his report to Council. Lise Betteridge, RSW, Registrar and CEO, and Denitha Breau, Deputy Registrar, presented their report to Council. The report provided updates under each strategic priority in the College’s Strategic Plan and included information about the following: registrant-base data including a breakdown of registrants; registration stats over the last year as compared to previous years; an update on the College’s CRM software upgrade; the Professional Practice Department’s continued…

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Message from the Registrar – Entry-to-Practice Exams

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is aware of concerns circulating over the College’s decision to implement entry-to-practice exams for all applicants. We would like to take this opportunity to respond and provide some important clarification. ASWB Exam Pass Rate Analysis In August 2022, the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) published an Exam Pass Rate Analysis, which included data indicating that racialized candidates have historically had lower exam…

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Illegal Practitioner Criminally Charged

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) is advising Ontarians of an illegal social work practitioner who now faces criminal charges. Katayoon Masoumi Rad, also known as Kathy Masoumirad, Kathy Mehranian and Kathy M. Rad, has been practising illegally in Woodbridge, Ontario and fraudulently using the name and credentials of a former OCSWSSW registrant to provide social work services. The Durham Regional Police Services has charged Katayoon Masoumi Rad with fraud related…

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Professional Practice Update: Educational Forum Video Now Online and 2022 CCP Reminder

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is sharing the following information and resources to support your practice. Educational Forum Video Now Available Online! The College held its virtual Educational Forum on October 19, 2022. This year’s Forum featured an update from College Registrar and CEO Lise Betteridge, MSW, RSW, and a thought-provoking keynote address entitled The Journey to Unity: Disrupting Racism and Decolonizing Child Welfare, presented by Sherrie Moore,…

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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights – November 15, 2022

Chisanga Chekwe, Public Member, shared some of his reflections on his own learnings and experiences with respect to Reconciliation and the land. Task Group Co-Chair, Brian Seng-Low, welcomed Task Group members to the meeting. The minutes from the September 20, 2022 meeting of the Task Group were reviewed. Lise Betteridge, Registrar and CEO, advised the Task Group that Council approved amendments to Bylaw No. 1 which added the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee to the…

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OCSWSSW Renewals Now Open!

You can now renew your registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) for 2023. The deadline to complete your renewal and payment for the year 2023 is December 31, 2022. Keeping your registration with the College is important. Only professionals registered with the College are allowed to use the titles “social worker,” “registered social worker,” “social service worker” or “registered social service worker.” RENEW YOUR REGISTRATION! New registrants…

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Election Results RE: Council Vacancy in District No. 2 – Social Service Work Category

On Friday, October 28, the elected members of Council voted to fill the Council vacancy for the social service work category in Electoral District No. 2. The following registrant is the candidate who received the greatest number of votes: Sandra Sidsworth, RSSW Sandra will join Council for the remainder of the term, which is until the first Council meeting after the next election in District 2, scheduled for May 2025. Role of Council members Council…

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Coming Soon: Member Renewals 2023

As a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, you must pay your membership fees annually, by December 31. Keeping your membership current is important. It demonstrates your commitment to professional, ethical, qualified and accountable practice. It also says something important about the professions of social work and social service work as a whole, and about you as an individual practitioner. The renewal season will commence in mid November 2022.…

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