Perspective

I’ve Been Complained Against – What Happens Now?

The College’s mandate is to protect the public from unqualified, incompetent and unfit practitioners. One of the ways the College fulfills this mandate is to consider and investigate complaints made by the public regarding the alleged conduct of College members. And though it may feel daunting or upsetting to find out that someone has made a complaint against you, the College ensures that due processes are in place, upholding fairness and maintaining transparency for all…

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Message from the Registrar and CEO

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Carol Hopkins, RSW, the Chief Executive Officer of the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation, about the College’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as well as our Indigenous outreach efforts. My conversation with Carol was thought-provoking and inspiring, and led me to reflect further on the progress the College has made as an organization. I’d like to share some of it with you – our members…

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Mark Your Calendars! Reminders for Members

Save the Date for AMED 2022! This year’s Annual Meeting and Education Day (AMED) will take place entirely online via livestream on Friday, June 10, 2022. AMED is part of the Glenda McDonald Educational Series. This year’s theme is Learning and Unlearning in a Changing Landscape. The event will include a keynote address by Dr. Carol Hopkins, RSW, and eight educational sessions that will take place throughout the day. We encourage you to join us for this engaging virtual…

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College Sees Nearly 60% Increase in Sexual Abuse-Related Complaints in the Past Two Years

As the provincial regulator of social workers and social service workers, the College’s mandate is to protect the public interest. The College fulfills this mandate in a number of ways, including through its complaint and discipline processes. Everything that the College does comes down to safeguarding the public from unqualified, incompetent and unfit practitioners. As noted in an earlier Perspective article, there is a growing trend of sexual abuse-related complaints against College members – an…

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Practice Notes: Navigating Conflicts of Interest

Download the PDF 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 Professional Practice Department and the Complaints Committee that may affect everyday practice. The Practice Notes offer general guidance only and College members with specific practice inquiries should consult the College, since the relevant standards and appropriate course of action will…

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Council Meeting Highlights for December 1-2, 2021

The Council is the 21-member governing body and board of directors that manages and administers College affairs. The policies developed by Council provide direction to the College and to staff. December 1, 2021 (10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) Mukesh Kowlessar, RSSW, President, 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…

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Council Highlights for March 2, 2022

The Council is the 21-member governing body and board of directors that manages and administers College affairs. The policies developed by Council provide direction to the College and to staff. March 2, 2022 (10:15 a.m. to 1:35 p.m.) Mukesh Kowlessar, RSSW, President, provided his report to Council, which included an update about Council’s upcoming governance training and review project launched by the Governance Working Group. Lise Betteridge, RSW, Registrar and CEO, and Denitha Breau, Deputy…

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FAQ: The College’s Complaints Process

What’s involved in the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers’ complaints process and how long does it typically take? As part of its duty to serve and protect the public interest, the College is required to have a formal complaints process, which gives members of the public the ability to have their complaint about a member’s alleged conduct or actions submitted to the College’s Complaints Committee. The process ensures fairness to both…

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Discipline Decision Summary – Sheri Anne Ongena

The College publishes summaries of decisions of the Discipline Committee and/or provides links to full-text, neutralized versions of its decisions. Information that is subject to a publication ban or that could reveal the identity of witnesses or clients, including the name of the facility, has been removed as necessary, or has been anonymized. As of January 2019, decisions are also available via the Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII). By publishing decisions, the College endeavours to:…

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Practice Notes: The Evolving Landscape of Electronic Practice

Download the PDF 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 Professional Practice Department and the Complaints Committee that may affect everyday practice. The notes offer general guidance only and College members with specific practice inquiries should consult the College, since the relevant standards and appropriate course of action will vary…

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Message from the Registrar and CEO

In his 1967 speech to Philadelphia high school students, the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. said: “If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but by all means, keep moving.” Since March 2020, we have encountered many changes and obstacles. The “new normal” of the pandemic has caused pain and anxiety for so many, yet it has also compelled us to re-examine the world in which…

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Stay Tuned! Ethical and Competent Responses to Anti-Indigenous Racism

This fall, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers will be conducting a video interview with Cheryl McPherson, RSW, which will cover the intersection of social work and social service work and Reconciliation. McPherson is a proud Haudenosaunee woman who currently teaches at Centennial College’s Addiction and Mental Health Workers Program. She has been a practising social worker since 2005, primarily working with Indigenous clients and women who have been trafficked. “Indigenous…

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