Social Media

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers encourages members and the public to connect with us on FacebookTwitterLinkedInInstagram and YouTube.

Through its social media platforms, the College intends to:

  • Connect with members and the public
  • Share opportunities, updates, research and tools
  • Provide real-time engagement during College events, including the Annual Meeting and Education Day (AMED)

Community Guidelines

Please keep the following rules and principles in mind when posting and commenting on the College’s social media channels:

Professional – Engage in a professional and respectable manner with the College and your peers. Remember that your social media activity and behaviour reflects on you and your professional integrity. Do not send unwelcome communications to members, such as junk mail, phishing schemes, spam or chain letters.

Ethical – Be an ethical social media user. Respect confidentiality and do not, under any circumstances, share confidential information about a client, case, employer or colleague. Do not discuss complaints and discipline matters (past or present). Do not post graphic images or text, such as obscene images, pornography, hate speech, or violent threats. Profane language will not be tolerated.

Qualified – As a qualified member of the College, do not post misleading or inaccurate information about yourself, your qualifications, your work experience or your achievements.

Accountable – Be accountable for your social media use and knowledge. When using a social media platform, such as Facebook or LinkedIn, familiarize yourself with its user agreement, privacy policy and settings, and terms and conditions.

Members who do not follow the Community Guidelines will be removed and/or blocked from the College’s social media platforms, groups and channels, and could face additional consequences.

Click here to download a PDF version of the OCSWSSW Social Media Terms of Use.

Click here to read the College’s Practice Notes on social media entitled “Social Media and Practice: Protecting Privacy and Professionalism in a Virtual World” (from the Fall 2011 issue of Perspective)

Click here to read the College’s Practice Notes on electronic communications entitled “Communication Technology & Ethical Practice: Evolving Issues in a Changing Landscape”