Electronic Practice: An Employer’s Responsibility Around Ethical and Professional Practice

What are an employer’s responsibilities when it comes to their employees’ electronic practice? And how can an employer ensure that their clients are being served ethically and professionally? As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many social work employers have shifted to providing services by electronic means. Electronic practice is the delivery of social work services by the use of electronic device (such as a computer, tablet, smartphone, landline telephone) or any electronic format…

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9 Important Milestones in College History: Marking 20 Years of Public Protection

This year, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers marked its 20-year anniversary. Since its creation, the College has experienced a lot of change – technological, regulatory and, of course, related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The College has also grown as an organization and achieved a great deal over the years, not the least of which is our evolution as a leader in the regulatory community. Acknowledging the College’s 20th anniversary…

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Top 6 Considerations for Virtual Services

As virtual services become more prevalent in all aspects of our lives, College members are using, or considering the use of, different types of communication technology in their practice. Members frequently ask the College’s Professional Practice Department about the type of communication technology and the specific platforms that they should choose when providing virtual services. Communication technology is a broad term which may refer to texting, email, video chat platforms, social media platforms, websites, or…

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What Does It Mean If a College Member’s Certificate of Registration Is Suspended?

A College member may have their certificate of registration suspended for administrative, disciplinary reasons or reasons of incapacity. Such a member cannot engage in the practice of social work or social service work for as long as their certificate is suspended. The College Registrar may suspend the certificate of registration of a social worker or social service worker for what may be considered an administrative reason, including: failure to pay a fee or penalty prescribed…

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Open Discussion: Highlights from the Virtual Sault Ste. Marie Employer Roundtable

In photo: College Registrar and CEO Lise Betteridge (left) and Director of Complaints and Discipline Richelle Samuel (right) host the virtual Employer Roundtable. The College held a virtual Employer Roundtable on October 13, 2020. The event was attended by participants representing 10 organizations, and included a strong presence from Indigenous agencies serving Indigenous communities in the Sault Ste. Marie area. Strengthening stakeholder engagement – a strategic priority Since 2017, the College has hosted Employer Roundtables…

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