Employer Communiqués

Message from the Registrar and CEO

Employers are essential partners in the College’s public protection mandate. Every day, you help ensure that Ontarians receive safe, ethical and competent social work and social service work services. We appreciate the role you play and want to share several registration updates from the College that are intended to support your workforce planning while strengthening transparency, fairness and public confidence in the professions. Supporting Labour Mobility Effective January 1, 2026, the Ontario government introduced Ontario…

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New Sexual Abuse Prevention Program (SAPP)

Over the past several years, the College has seen a disturbing rise in sexual abuse-related complaints. Sexual abuse is one of the most egregious ways that registrants can harm clients and breach their professional obligations. To address this alarming trend, the College has introduced the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program (SAPP). All registrants (except those in the retired class of registration) are required to complete the SAPP as part of their 2026 Continuing Competence Program (CCP).…

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Professional Practice Updates and Resources

Social Service Workers Now Added as Authorized Medical Practitioners for Tax Purposes 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) brought this matter…

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Coffee With the College

The College is pleased to invite registrants to the next dates in our interactive series, Coffee with the College. Hosted by the Professional Practice Team, this engaging lunch and learn discussion explores some of the most common ethical and practice dilemmas that registrants encounter. Registrants will also be able to ask questions and engage in live consultations with the Professional Practice staff. Register via the links below! Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Wednesday, April 22, 2026 For…

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Message from the Registrar and CEO

As we move through the fall season, a time of reflection and change, I’m reminded of the importance of pausing to recognize our shared progress. This season, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) has continued to build strong partnerships with employers and engagement groups across Ontario. By working together, we support social workers and social service workers in delivering safe, ethical and competent care to the people of this…

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Walking Together: Indigenous Approaches to Healing at St. Joseph’s Care Group

At St. Joseph’s Care Group (SJCG) in Thunder Bay, Ontario, an Indigenous team of social workers and social service workers are reshaping healthcare by weaving traditional knowledge with Western models of care. For Brenda Mason, Ogichidaa Kwe (Elder in Council), N’doo’owe Binesi, Carly Brar, Indigenous Counsellor, N’doo’owe Binesi, Indigenous Health and Paul Francis Jr., Vice President of N’doo’owe Binesi, Indigenous Health, Partnerships and Wellness, this work is deeply personal and a vital part of advancing reconciliation…

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Unlocking Value Through Field Education: Mutual Benefits for Registrants and Students

Have you ever considered providing field education opportunities to social work or social service work students? Field education is a mandatory practicum requirement for social work and social service work students. As an experiential learning tool, field education helps students develop their professional competencies by providing them with an opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to the practice setting. Why bring students on board? Fresh perspectivesStudents arrive equipped with the latest concepts and innovative best…

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Practice Notes: Online Footprint — Professional Integrity Matters

Practice Notes is an educational tool designed to help Ontario social workers, social service workers, employers and members of the public gain a better understanding of recurring issues dealt with by the College’s Professional Practice Department and Complaints Committee that may affect everyday practice. The notes offer general guidance only and College registrants[1] with specific practice inquiries should consult the College, since the relevant standards and appropriate course of action will vary depending on the…

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Updates and Reminders for Employers

New Registration Requirement Now in Effect – Vulnerable Sector Checks  This is a reminder to employers that as of October 1, 2025, the registration requirements for all College applicants now include submitting a vulnerable sector check. This additional registration requirement serves as an additional tool to help safeguard the public from potential harm and brings the College in line with other regulatory bodies. Most Canadian social work regulators already require background checks as part of their…

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Message from the Registrar and CEO

On August 15, we celebrated an important milestone: the 25th anniversary of the proclamation of the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998 and the establishment of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College). Since 2000, the College has been guided by its mission and vision as well as its values to provide ethical, accountable, effective and community-centred care. Together, we have built strong foundation of public trust that…

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First Findings from the Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative: Data Insights Now Available

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is excited to announce that insights from the inaugural year of the  Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative are now available as part of the 2024 Annual Report – A New Era: Advancing Innovation and Public Protection. Launched during the 2024 renewal period, the Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative invites registrants to share demographic information on a voluntary basis. The initiative is based on…

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Equipped for Success: New AMED 2025 Resources

The College’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Education Day (AMED) took place on June 3, 2025. This year’s theme was Advancing Innovation and Public Protection. Videos of all the sessions are now available to watch on the College website and YouTube channel. Employers are encouraged to share these practice resources with their social work and social service work staff. These videos can serve as relevant professional development tools, supporting social work and social service work staff…

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