News

Professional Practice Update: 2023 Continuing Competence Program

In this update: Reminder: 2023 Continuing Competence Program Read the latest Practice Notes on sexual abuse of clients The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is pleased to share the following updates to support social workers and social service workers in their practice: Reminder: 2023 Continuing Competence Program The College encourages registrants to get started on their 2023 Continuing Competence Program (CCP) if they haven’t done so already. The CCP…

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Message from the Council Chair – Announcement of New Registrar and CEO

The Council of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is pleased to announce the appointment of Denitha Breau as the new Registrar and CEO, effective August 1, 2023. Denitha's selection comes after careful consideration and a diligent and extensive recruitment process to identify the ideal candidate. With over 15 years of valuable regulatory knowledge and experience, Denitha has been serving as the Deputy Registrar at the College for the…

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Important Notice – Website Maintenance Update

The College will be performing scheduled maintenance on the College website on Sunday, June 18th from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. During this timeframe, we anticipate that there may be disruptions to the College website and online services, including the Online Register, Registrant Portal, and Applicant Portal. To find a registrant or confirm the registration status of a social worker or social service worker, please contact the College at info@ocswssw.org. We apologize for any inconvenience…

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College Response to CASWE Statement on Entry-to-Practice Exams

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) has been made aware that the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) has issued a formal statement expressing their opposition to the College’s decision to implement entry-to-practice exams. Please see the College’s response to the CASWE statement below. Jason Albert, CASWE-ACFTS Interim President andCarole Carpot, CASWE-ACFTS Executive Directored-dg@caswe-acfts.ca May 29, 2023 Dear Jason and Carole: We are writing as Council Chair and…

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Message from the Registrar and CEO: Update on the Review of the Standards of Practice

Over the past year, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) has been conducting a comprehensive review of its Standards of Practice. Once approved by Council, the revised Standards of Practice will impact every social worker and social service worker in Ontario, regardless of their area of practice. Supporting employers The Standards of Practice, which set out the minimum standards of professional practice and conduct for College registrants, can support…

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Don’t Miss Out! 2023 Annual Meeting and Education Day

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers is happy to announce that it will be holding its virtual Annual Meeting & Education Day (AMED) on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. AMED is part of the Glenda McDonald Educational Series. Employers are encouraged to share this great educational opportunity with their social work and social service work staff members. College registrants can use their attendance at this year’s AMED towards…

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Supervision and Performing the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy

How much supervision is needed to ensure College registrants are competent to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy? Registrants of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) are permitted to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy provided they do so in compliance with the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, the regulations and the bylaws. Before providing psychotherapy services, College registrants should consider the essential elements needed to determine their…

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View the College’s 2022 Annual Report Online

The 2022 Annual Report of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is now available on the College website. The theme of the 2022 Annual Report is Making the Connection: Professionalism, Accountability, and Public Protection. The 2022 Annual Report highlights the College’s activities over the past year and includes: a joint message from the Council Chair and the Registrar & CEO; an article about the College’s 2022 activities, “Making the Connection”; statistics…

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REMINDER: Register Now for the 2023 Annual Meeting and Education Day!

As you will have seen in a previous eBulletin, general registration for the College’s Annual Meeting and Education Day (AMED) is now open. This year’s AMED will be hosted entirely online on a virtual conference platform on Tuesday, June 13 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. What to expect at AMED 2023 At AMED, you will have the opportunity to attend, as part of this virtual event: the College’s Annual Meeting; the keynote address presented by Zelda la…

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College Update on 2024 Registration and Renewal Fees

At its May meeting, College Council made the carefully considered decision to approve the recommendation of the Finance Committee to increase registration and renewal fees for 2024. This is the first time the College has increased fees in four years. Council’s decision, though necessary, was not made lightly. We understand that the impact of inflation is challenging for many of our registrants. Registration and renewal fees will be increased by $40. The new fees are: Renewal…

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Register Now for the 2023 Annual Meeting and Education Day!

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) invites you to attend its Annual Meeting and Education Day (AMED) on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. This year’s theme is Making the Connection: Professionalism, Accountability and Public Protection. The College is pleased to have Zelda la Grange as keynote speaker. Her presentation will focus on the post-Apartheid South African journey towards truth, reconciliation and inclusion informed…

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