Mandatory Reporting

As part of its duty to serve and protect the public interest, the College is required to have a process for mandatory reports; and as employers of social workers and social service workers, you have the responsibility to be aware of, and if need be, complete the mandatory reports process. Below is the information you need to know about when a mandatory report should be completed and how.

Note: Employers should NOT use the College’s Complaint Form to submit a mandatory report. The Complaint Form is intended for members of the public who wish to make a complaint about the conduct of a social worker or social service worker.

What is a mandatory report?

Under the Act, there are five circumstances when a written report to the College must be made:

  1. If you, as an employer of a member of the College, terminate the employment of a member of the College for reasons of “professional misconduct”, “incompetence”, or “incapacity”, you are required to file a written report with the Registrar of the College.
  2. If you, as an employer or former employer of a member of the College, intended to terminate the employment of a member of the College for reasons of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity, but the member resigned before you could do so, you are required to file a written report with the Registrar of the College.
  3. If you, as an employer or former employer of a member of the College, become aware that a member of the College who is or has been employed by you is convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada involving sexual conduct, you are required to file a written report with the Registrar of the College.
  4. If you, as a member of the College, are convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada involving sexual conduct, you are required to file a written report with the Registrar of the College.
  5. If you, as a member of the College, or an employer who is also a member of the College, in the course of your practice, obtain reasonable grounds to believe that another member of the College has sexually abused a client, you are required to file a written report with the Registrar of the College.

For more detailed information about the mandatory reporting process, please review the Mandatory Reporting Guide.