News

2026-2027 Council Election Results in Electoral District No. 3

On Friday, June 19, 2026, the College held its Council elections in Electoral District No. 3. The Election Committee has now declared the following candidates elected to serve on the College Council for a three-year term, beginning September 2026. Election results The following registrants of the College are the candidates who received the greatest number of votes in the RSW and RSSW categories, respectively: Tarak Ahmed, RSW Nicole Withers, RSW Denyse Clara, RSSW Yatisha Natasha Donalds,…

Read More

College Update: No Increase to Registration and Renewal Fees for 2027 & Reminder on 2026 CCP Required Resources

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is pleased to provide you with the following updates: No increase to registration and renewal fees for 2027 Reminder on 2026 CCP Required Resources No increase to registration and renewal fees for 2027 During its meeting on June 10, 2026, College Council approved the recommendation of the Finance and Audit Committee that there be no increase to the registration and renewal fees in 2027.…

Read More

Become a non-Council Committee member for 2026-2028

The College is seeking registered social workers and social service workers to serve as non-Council Committee members (resident of Ontario who is a registrant of the College in good standing but not a member of Council) for a two-year term. Current Opportunities: Complaints Committee Registration Appeals Committee Discipline and Fitness to Practise Committees Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee Standards of Practice Committee The College strives to create an inclusive environment which reflects the diversity of…

Read More

Council Highlights for June 10, 2026

Sanjay Govindaraj, Council Chair, provided his report to Council. Denitha Breau, RN, MSN, MBA, Registrar and CEO, presented her report to Council. The report provided updates under each strategic priority in the College’s Strategic Plan and included information about the following: the College’s Continuing Competence Program and compliance rates; updates around the College’s renewal period; insights from the Professional Conduct department with respect to reports and complaints; the College’s Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative year…

Read More

Message from the Registrar and CEO

As we move through another productive year, the College remains focused on initiatives that strengthen accountability, promote fairness and support its public protection mandate. In this issue, I am pleased to share several recent developments that reflect our ongoing commitment to strengthening trust in the professions we regulate. This month, the College published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting key initiatives, achievements and priorities from the past year. The report demonstrates the dedication of registrants, employers,…

Read More

Trust in care during Mental Health Month: Why choosing a regulated professional matters

May is Mental Health Month, which makes it a good time to do something many of us put off: check in honestly on how we're doing and if we’re getting the support we need. For many Ontarians, mental health is a complicated subject. When someone finally takes the step to reach out, it matters significantly that the professional they are working with is qualified, ethical and genuinely accountable. This is where registered social workers and…

Read More

Coffee with the College

Hosted by the Professional Practice Team, this engaging monthly lunch-and-learn discussion series explores some of the most common ethical and practice dilemmas that registrants encounter. Each session will begin with a brief presentation by the Professional Practice Associates and/or special guests focusing on recent practice trends, with guidance from College resources and the Standards of Practice. Attendees will then have the opportunity to ask questions using the Q&A feature and engage in live consultation with…

Read More

We Want to Hear From You: Comprehensive Review of the Continuing Competence Program is Underway

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is working with the consulting firm Rigor as part of a comprehensive review of its Continuing Competence Program (CCP). The goal of this project is to better understand how registrants practise across diverse settings and sectors, identify emerging practice contexts and variations in scope, and ensure that the CCP remains current, supportive, effective and responsive. The CCP has traditionally been based on an…

Read More

Discover Resources to Support your Work and Practice

The College is pleased to offer the following resources to support you in your work and practice: Exploring practice, together – Join us for upcoming Coffee with the College sessions Join us for the next dates in our interactive series, Coffee with the College. Hosted by the Professional Practice Team, these sessions offer a forum to explore common ethical and practice issues in a thoughtful, dialogue-based environment. Registrants can engage directly with staff through questions…

Read More

College Update About Entry-to-Practice Exams

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) is continuing its work with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to implement entry-to-practice exams for applicants. We are now at the planning stage where we are in a position to share when exams will begin as a registration requirement. Although we will begin implementing exams in late 2027 for certain applicant groups, the exam requirement for applicants who have graduated from an…

Read More

Message from the Registrar and CEO

As we move into the spring season, I want to take a moment to recognize the important work you do every day as social workers and social service workers. Across diverse practice settings and communities, your commitment to ethical, compassionate and competent care continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities across Ontario. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to quality care. In my role as the College’s Registrar…

Read More

Shaping Clinical Readiness: A Social Service Worker’s Insights on Experience Before Private Practice

For Bianca Stefina, RSSW, becoming a registered social service worker was never about following a single prescribed path. Her journey reflects a commitment to learning through experience, adapting to complexity and building clinical judgment through direct work with people in real-world settings. Today, Bianca is the owner of a group practice in Windsor, Ontario, specializing in trauma and complex trauma. Throughout her career, she continues to deepen her clinical expertise through advanced training in trauma-informed…

Read More

Page 1 of 46
12345678