Equity and Inclusion Data

The College recognizes that advancing diversity, equity and inclusion and addressing discrimination are important parts of its public protection mandate. To achieve these goals, we believe we must first better understand the current landscape, including possible barriers and diversity of representation. We want to ensure we are making decisions that are guided by lived experiences and authentic representation.

This initiative invites registrants to share demographic information on a voluntary basis. The initiative launched in the 2024 renewal period, which began in late November 2023. This initiative is part of the College actioning our commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Approach

In determining our approach to this initiative, we were guided by the constitutional and legal principles of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”), Ontario’s Anti-Racism Act and the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Additionally, we are committed to contributing to meeting the calls to action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, especially the call to collect data so that progress towards Truth and Reconciliation can be effectively measured.

Equity and Inclusion Questions

The Equity and Inclusion Questions are taken from existing validated data sources (where such data sources exist), for example the Canadian Census and the Anti-Racism Data Standards – as set out in the Anti-Racism Act. Although some of these data sources are not wholly inclusive, using existing questions will allow for the data collected by the College to be measured and compared to a degree with the broader Ontario public.

We acknowledge that the data will not provide a complete or perfect picture of the demographics of all social workers and social service workers, since registrants can choose whether or not to answer the Equity and Inclusion questions – it is simply a starting point. We will continue to engage with registrants and other stakeholders as part of our commitment to continual improvement.

Contact Us

Please contact inclusion@ocswssw.org for inquiries related to the Equity and Inclusion Data initiative.

Click on the sections below for more information on the Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative.

Purpose

The Equity and Inclusion Data initiative is based on the fundamental principle that only what is measured can be effectively understood and improved. The initiative was developed to help identify and monitor systemic racism and discrimination within the professions of social work and social service work.

Through the collection of this data we aim to:

  • Provide insight into the degree to which the diversity of the Ontario public is reflected in College registration.
  • Highlight any disparities and systemic barriers which will support evidence-based decision-making.
  • Understand what the demographics of Ontario social workers and social service workers looks like in terms of self-identified dimensions of diversity.
  • Identify and monitor systemic racism and discrimination for the purpose of advancing and promoting equity.

As we move forward with this initiative, we look forward to sharing more on how these goals will be achieved.

Authority and responsibility to collect data

We believe it is our social responsibility to collect this data. As the provincial regulator of social workers and social service workers, we acknowledge that the College is privileged in our ability to be the only organization that is in the position to collect demographic data on Ontario social workers and social service workers. We are committed to collecting this data in a respectful, responsible and equitable way.

Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, the College is legally authorized and has a legal responsibility to collect this data. The Code allows for the collection and analysis of demographic data, as long as the data is collected for purposes consistent with the Code, such as to monitor discrimination, identify and remove systemic barriers, address historical disadvantage and promote equity. Under the Code, an organization that chooses not to collect data in situations where data collection is allowed may not be able to argue that it did not discriminate under the Code.

Method and procedures

Registrants will be invited to share demographic information on a voluntary basis when they renew their registration each year.

  • The Equity and Inclusion Questions will be completely voluntary; registrants who choose not to answer any of these questions will still be able to complete the renewal process.
  • We will invite registrants to share only as much as is comfortable. They can choose to answer some, all or none of the questions and may opt out at any time by either choosing “prefer not to answer” for multiple choice questions or typing in “N/A” for open-ended questions.
  • No program, service or benefit will be withheld if registrants do not answer the questions.
  • Data will be stored in a secure system and access to the data will be limited to a small number of College staff.
  • Data provided by each registrant will be kept confidential.
  • Registrants can withdraw their consent and request that the College remove or stop using their information at any time.

The College will analyze and report on the collected data.

  • The data will be reported on only in the aggregate – registrants will not be able to be identified by the data they choose to submit.
  • Data reporting will not perpetuate stereotypes of specific groups.

How the data will be used

We acknowledge our influence and our responsibility towards the Ontario public and the professions of social workers and social service workers. We recognize there are limitations within our regulatory role to fully address systemic barriers and are committed to engaging, partnering and collaborating with other organizations dedicated to actioning changes for better outcomes.

Initially, our intention is to use the data collected to:

  • obtain a benchmark of the demographics of College registrants;
  • provide insight into the degree to which the diversity of the Ontario public is reflected in College registration; and
  • identify gaps and disparities between registrants and the Ontario public.

Once we have this benchmark, we can use the data collected to address systemic barriers and inform equity initiatives to better serve the Ontario public.

Within our role as a regulator, we can use the data collected to action initiatives such as:

  • Developing practice supports and programs that will assist registrants in better serving communities. This could include resources such as cultural competency and cultural humility training.
  • Expanding our government relations efforts to include recommendations that will promote equity at the educational level – for example, we could highlight the need for the government to consider offering additional scholarships and financial supports for individuals from communities that are underrepresented in the professions of social work and social service work.

By collecting, analyzing and reporting on the data, we will have the opportunity to engage, partner and collaborate with other organizations who can advocate for changes that are beyond our organizational limitations. We are excited to:

  • Partner with organizations, such as the Ontario Association of Social Workers and the Ontario Social Service Worker Association who have the capability to advocate for more diverse representation within the professions.
  • Collaborate with employers to assist them in finding ways to identify strategies around better serving their communities, as well as addressing the disparities within their organizations.
  • Collaborate with educators to assist them in finding ways to identify strategies to attract students from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

How the data will not be used

We recognize that through this initiative we are inviting registrants to self-identify and share personal information. There is an inherent vulnerability that exists with disclosure and we are committed to the safety, protection and privacy of each person and the information shared with us. In addition to keeping the data in a secure system, we will never:

  • Use or report the data in any way that could identify an individual registrant.
  • Use the data for purposes with intention to impact, harm or discriminate against a registrant. For example, the data will never be used in any complaints or discipline processes, or be checked against a registrant’s safe practice registration requirement.
  • Use or report the data to perpetuate stereotypes of specific groups.

Development and engagement

Seeking multiple perspectives and embedding lived experiences into our process is important to us and to our goal of authentic inclusion. Throughout the development of this initiative, we sought guidance, consultation and direction from a wide range of communities and organizations.

The College worked with Uppala Chandrasekera, MSW, RSW, who was pivotal in the early development of this initiative. Uppala is the Director of Public Health at Toronto Public Health. She has developed and led the creation of equity and inclusion policies at other organizations such as the Toronto Police Services Board, Mount Sinai Hospital and the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Additionally, we have consulted with key stakeholders including the following organizations:

  • The Anti-Racism Directorate of Ontario
  • The Ontario Human Rights Commission
  • CAMH
  • The 519
  • The Alliance for Healthier Communities
  • The Citizen Advisory Group

This list, while not exhaustive, provides examples of the types of key stakeholders we engaged with to develop the initiative.  Conversations with stakeholders have been ongoing rather than one-time touchpoints.

Feedback on this initiative from College registrants is very important to us and we invited them to share their insights via an anonymous online survey in spring 2023.

Related FAQs
  • The Equity and Inclusion Data initiative is based on the fundamental principle that only what is measured can be effectively understood and improved. The initiative was developed to help identify and monitor systemic racism and discrimination within the professions of social work and social service work.

    The collection of this data will:

    • Provide insight into the degree to which the diversity of the Ontario public is reflected in College registration.
    • Highlight any disparities and systemic barriers which will support evidence-based decision-making.
    • Provide a baseline measurement of the demographics of Ontario social workers and social service workers.
    • Identify and monitor systemic racism and discrimination for the purpose of advancing and promoting equity.
  • Yes. Feedback on this initiative from registrants was very important and they were invited to share their insights via an anonymous online survey in spring 2023.

  • When a registrant renews their registration, they will be invited to answer sociodemographic questions. This will happen each year during the renewal season.

  • No. Registrants will be invited to share demographic data on a voluntary basis. Registrants may also withdraw their consent and request that the College delete or stop using their personal information at any time. Registrants can choose to answer some, all or none of the questions and may opt out at any time by either choosing “prefer not to answer” for multiple choice questions or typing in "N/A" for open-ended questions. No program, service or benefit will be withheld because a registrant chooses not to answer the questions.

  • Yes. Registrants who choose not to answer any of these questions will still be able to complete the renewal process.

  • Yes, registrants can withdraw their consent and request that the College remove or stop using their information at any time.

  • Yes, the equity and inclusion data provided by registrants will be kept confidential. The data will be kept in a secure system, and access to the information will be restricted to a small number of College staff who require access for the purpose of reporting aggregate information and analyzing trends.

    The data will be reported on only in the aggregate – registrants will not be able to be identified by the data they choose to submit.

  • Initially, our intention is to use the data collected to:

    • obtain a benchmark of the demographics of College registrants;
    • provide insight into the degree to which the diversity of the Ontario public is reflected in College registration; and
                • identify gaps and disparities between our registration and the Ontario public.

                Once we have this benchmark, we can use the data to address systemic barriers and inform equity initiatives to better serve the Ontario public.

                Within our role as a regulator, we can use the data collected to action initiatives such as:

                • Developing practice supports and programs that will assist registrants in better serving communities. This could include resources such as cultural competency and cultural humility training.
                • Expanding our government relations efforts to include recommendations that will promote equity at the educational level – for example, we could highlight the need for the government to consider offering additional scholarships and financial supports for individuals from communities that are underrepresented in the professions of social work and social service work.
              • The data will not be used to identify a registrant in any way, or for purposes with the intention to impact, harm or discriminate against a registrant. The data will never be used in any complaints or discipline processes, or be checked against a registrant’s safe practice registration requirement.

              • While the College is not mandated to follow the data standards set out by the Anti-Racism Act (ARA), the general principles of the ARA have helped guide the creation of the policy which the College will be following.

                The ARA data standards provide a framework for the Ontario government to identify and eliminate systemic racism and advance racial equity in the province. More information on the Anti-Racism Data Standards as set out in the ARA can be found on their website.

              • This initiative is guided by the constitutional and legal principles of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”), Ontario’s Anti-Racism Act, and the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Additionally, we are committed to contributing to meeting the calls to action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, especially the call to collect data so that progress towards Truth and Reconciliation can be effectively measured.

              • The data will be reported on only in the aggregate – registrants will not be able to be identified by the data they choose to submit. Data reporting will not perpetuate stereotypes of specific groups.

                The College recognizes the importance of incorporating intersectionality into our data analysis, as without an intersectional approach to data collection and analysis, results are incomplete and can misrepresent demographics.

              • The Equity and Inclusion Questions are taken from existing data sources (where such data sources exist), including from the Canadian Census and the Anti-Racism Data Standards as set out in the Anti-Racism Act. Although some of these data sources are not wholly inclusive, using existing questions will allow for the data collected by the College to be measured and compared to a degree with the broader Ontario public.

                The College will be engaging with a data analyst to ensure that the analysis and reporting are as inclusive as possible, and take intersectionality into account.