Please note that the College’s physical office is closed to the public. College staff can be reached by phone and email.
This page provides the latest updates on COVID-19 and the impacts on the social work and social service work professions. The College continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, public health officials and other health system partners to inform and support College registrants and the clients and communities they serve.
College Communications
Read the latest updates
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Message from the Registrar and CEO: Information on the Masking Mandates in Ontario
As noted in its recent announcement, effective June 11, 2022, the Ontario government is lifting most masking mandates. With the […]
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Message from the Registrar and CEO: Practice Considerations as Ontario Makes Changes to Masking Mandates
As noted in its recent announcement, effective March 21, 2022, the Ontario government is making changes to masking mandates – […]
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Message from the Registrar and CEO: COVID-19 Update as Ontario Moves to Modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen
As noted in its recent announcement, effective January 5, 2022, the Ontario government is moving to a modified step two […]
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COVID-19 Update: Practice Considerations for Social Workers, Social Service Workers and Their Employers
As the Ontario government gradually lifts remaining public health and workplace safety measures over the next six months, the College […]
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Message from the Registrar and CEO: COVID-19 Update Around Practice Considerations
The Ontario government recently announced its gradual approach to lifting remaining public health and workplace safety measures over the next six months. […]
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Professional Practice Update: Practice Considerations around Provincial Vaccination Mandate and College’s Upcoming Review of the Standards of Practice
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) would like to share the following information and […]
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COVID-19 Update: Practice Considerations as Ontario Moves into Step Three of “Roadmap to Reopen” Plan
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) anticipates that the Ontario Government’s announcement to move […]
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COVID-19 Update: Ontario Moves into Step One of “Roadmap to Reopen” Plan
On Friday, June 11th, 2021, the Ontario government moved the province into Step One of its “Roadmap to Reopen” plan. […]
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Professional Practice Update: Increasing Accessibility and Equity for Clients
The College is pleased to share the following information and resources to support members’ practice. Increasing accessibility and ensuring equitable […]
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Practice Considerations for Social Workers and Social Service Workers Amidst Third Wave of the Pandemic
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) continues to support members in their practice throughout […]
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Message from the Registrar and CEO as Ontario Government Enacts Third COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order
Yesterday, the Ontario government announced that it had declared a third provincial emergency in response to the rapid rise in […]
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Reminder of Practice Considerations Amidst Government’s Latest COVID-19 Announcement
The Ontario government recently announced a province-wide emergency brake which took effect on Saturday, April 3, 2021 in response to […]
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OCSWSSW Members Encouraged to Contact Public Health Unit for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Information
In the last few weeks, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) has received requests […]
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Message from Registrar and CEO: COVID-19 Update
As Registrar and CEO for the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College), I wanted to […]
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COVID-19 Update
Over the past year, the College has communicated regularly to stakeholders with updates related to the impact of COVID-19. The […]
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OCSWSSW COVID-19 Update
The Ontario government recently announced that it was extending the stay-at-home order for the majority of public health regions across […]
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Message from the Registrar and CEO: Ontario’s Second COVID-19 Emergency Order Announcement
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is providing an update in light of the […]
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Message from the Registrar and CEO: COVID-19 Update – Province-wide Lockdown
The Ontario government recently announced a province-wide shutdown which will take effect on December 26, 2020, in response to the […]
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Important COVID-19 Update as Some Regions Move into Lockdown
In light of last week’s provincial announcement, which moved Toronto and Peel into “Lockdown” effective Monday, November 23, 2020, the […]
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Reminder – Survey: Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 on RSWs and RSSWs
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is undertaking a review of the impact of […]
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Survey: Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 on RSWs and RSSWs
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is undertaking a review of the impact of […]
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OCSWSSW Update Regarding Province’s COVID-19 Response Framework
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) continues to take its cues from government and […]
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Important Notice Regarding Canada Post Deliveries
As a result of the ongoing impact related to COVID-19, Canada Post has adjusted their processes. All mail (including application […]
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OCSWSSW COVID-19 Update
Dear College members: With recent news about the steady increase in COVID-19 cases and the return to previous restrictions in […]
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Message from the Registrar and CEO: College Updates
Dear College members and other stakeholders: As we head into fall, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you […]
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Message from the Registrar and CEO: Recognizing and Reflecting Upon Anti-Black Racism
Also in this message: Ongoing Impact of COVID-19 Security Considerations for Electronic Practice As Registrar and CEO for the Ontario […]
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Critical Considerations for Members in Private Practice Regarding In-Person Practice
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is issuing the following considerations for members who […]
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Important Update from the Registrar and CEO Regarding In-Person Practice
As the Ontario Government moves forward with its reopening framework, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers […]
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Further Considerations as Province Implements Stage 1 of its Framework for Reopening
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) anticipates that the Ontario Government’s recent announcement regarding […]
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Important Considerations as Province Moves Towards Reopening
With the recent news that the Ontario Government is extending its provincial emergency orders until May 19, 2020, the Ontario […]
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OCSWSSW Update from the Registrar and CEO
As we reach the sixth week of the provincial state of emergency, I would like to acknowledge once again the […]
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Attention Applicants: Important Information Regarding High-Priority Applications for Registration
In light of COVID-19, the College has adapted its registration processes where possible, keeping in mind that government approval is […]
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More Answers to Your Questions: OCSWSSW COVID-19 Update
As we move into another week, we wanted to take this opportunity to confirm our commitment to providing College members […]
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Important Update Regarding Priority Applications for Registration
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) continues to monitor the developments concerning the COVID-19 […]
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Answers to Your Questions: OCSWSSW Update Regarding COVID-19
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) continues to monitor the developments concerning COVID-19. We […]
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COVID-19 Recommendations for Social Workers and Social Service Workers
The College continues to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and is providing additional guidance to support its members […]
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OCSWSSW Important Notice: Office Closure
To College members and other stakeholders: In light of recent developments concerning COVID-19, the Ontario College of Social Workers and […]
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Message from the Registrar & CEO regarding COVID-19
To College members and other stakeholders: I’d like to take this opportunity to provide you with information about the Ontario […]
Practice resources for registrants
- Communication Technology Practices and Policies for a Digital World
- Communication Technology and Ethical Practice
- Social Media and Practice
- Considerations for Using Communication Technology in Practice
- “But How Do I Know If I’m Competent?” – Issues to Consider
- Terminating Social Work and Social Service Work Services
- ETHICS→A: Ethical Decision-Making Tool
- Top 6 Considerations for Virtual Services
Government and public health authorities
- World Health Organization
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Ontario Ministry of Health
- Toronto Public Health
- Government of Ontario
- Public Health Ontario
- Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA)
- COVID-19 Resource Centre
- Health and Safety Guidance During COVID-19 for Long Term Care
- Health and Safety Guidance During COVID-19 for Social & Community Services (Group Homes) Employers
- COVID-19 Precautions When Working as a Social & Community Services Worker
- COVID-19 Precautions When Working in Administration in Healthcare
- COVID-19 Precautions When Working as a Personal Support Worker, Home and Care Provider