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Social Work in Canada 30,751 registered social workers in Canada in 2006 The number of registered social workers in Canada has doubled since 1998 Source: Canadian Institute for Health Information (2006). Health Personnel Provincial Profiles

The Face of Registered Social Workers in Canada Source: Canadian Institute for Health Information (2006). Health Personnel Provincial Profiles

What Do Social Workers Do Human rights and social justice are the philosophical underpinnings of social work practice help individuals, families, groups and communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being promote social change aimed at improving conditions that impact on the health and well being of individuals, families, groups and communities The uniqueness of social work practice is in the blend of some particular values, knowledge and skills, including the use of relationship as the basis of all interventions and respect for the client’s choice and involvement.

What Do Social Workers Do provide services as members of a multidisciplinary team or on a one-to-one basis with the client the duties performed by social workers vary depending on the settings in which they work

What Do Social Workers Do Some examples of social work duties: investigate cases of family violence, child abuse and neglect recruit foster parents or supervise the placement of children in protective care adoption cases help students adjust to the school environment contribute to the care, treatment and rehabilitation of the aged and of physically or mentally ill individuals provision of counselling social rehabilitation of young or adult offenders counselling, psychotherapy, mediation, sex therapy, policy and program development, organizational development, and employee assistance programs policy analysis, policy development and planning research teach

Where Do Social Workers Practice? hospitals community health centers mental health clinics schools advocacy organizations, government departments social service agencies child welfare settings correctional facilities social housing organizations family courts employee assistance programs private counselling school boards

Where Do Social Workers Practice? Source: Job Futures National Edition (2006).

Social Work Education the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) has the responsibility for accrediting university-based social work programs in most parts of the country the Bachelor of Social Work is the minimum educational requirement for entry into the profession theoretical courses and practical training at the undergraduate or graduate level For information about social work education in Canada contact the Canadian Association for Social Work Education

Regulation of Social Work in Canada Social work legislation is the responsibility of the provincial governments Currently all provinces have some form of social work regulation The territories are currently working on regulation Social workers become registered by becoming a member of a provincial regulatory body

Regulation of Social Work in Canada The regulatory body and professional association are under the same umbrella in 7 of the 10 provinces In British Columbia, Ontario and Prince Edward Island social work regulation is assigned to separate bodies Further information about regulation in Canada can be gathered from the regulatory bodies in each province

Practising as a Social Worker in Canada Hourly wages are similar to comparable occupations Wages grew at an above average rate from 2002 to 2004 The unionization rate is 69% Source: Job Futures National Edition (2006).

Issues Relating to the Profession workloads caseloads administrative tasks overtime high attrition rates complexity of client needs and experiences focus on crisis

Issues Relating to the Profession safety resources to meet client needs training and continuing education supervision uniform salaries

Issues Relating to the Profession Professional and Personal Impacts Conflict between professional ethics and workplace realities Lack of relationship-based work Decreasing range of services provided Individual well-being Burnout Isolation Work-life balance