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

About CASW Federated organization 10 provincial/territorial member organizations Represents over 16, 000 social workers Mission Statement “As a federation of the 9 provincial and one territorial social work organizations, the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) provides a national leadership role in strengthening and advancing the social work profession in Canada.”

History of CASW Founded in Charter Members A network to address working conditions Guided by a commitment to social justice Past CASW Presidents and the current CASW President and Executive Director celebrate the 80 th anniversary of the CASW in Halifax. J une, 2006.

CASW Member Organizations

CASW Governance Model CASW Board of Directors Appointed representative from each member organization Elected President CASW Executive director sits on both Board and Executive as an ex-officio

CASW Office and Staff CASW national office located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada CASW office has 5 staff positions including: Three administrative staff positions Two social work positions

About CASW CASW Strategic Directions 1) To advance social justice 2) To strengthen and promote the social work profession 3) To support the regulatory and non-regulatory work of member organizations “Social workers promote social fairness and the equitable distributing of resources, and act to reduce barriers to expand choice for all person with special regard for those who marginalized, disadvantaged, vulnerable, and/or have exceptional needs.” CASW Code of Ethics (2005)

CASW Today CASW Social Policy Principles Dignity and Respect Equality Equity Comprehensiveness Quality Services Constitutional Integrity Subsidiarity Social Dialogue CASW Social Policy Principles are available in full on the CASW website (

Examples of CASW Activities Advancing Social Justice Advocacy and Lobbying Consultation and meetings with federal government Press releases Policy analysis and research reports Coalitions 23 formal coalitions Range of issues (example: children, poverty, adoptions, health, seniors, human rights) Informal and formal opportunities to collaborate For detailed information on CASW activities please read the CASW Annual Report available on the CASW website.

Examples of CASW Activities Strengthen and Promote the Profession Publications Canadian Social Work Bulletin Reporter CASW Policy Papers/Research Reports CASW Website Interest Groups Children Issues Interest Group Health Interest Group Aboriginal Social Workers Interest Group Intersectoral Initiative CASW/CASWE Memorandum of Understanding

Examples of CASW Activities Strengthen and Promote the Profession National Social Work Week Celebrated nationally the first week of March National Social Work Conference Every two years CASW Awards CASW Award for Outstanding Service National Social Work Week Distinguished Service Awards Related Services of Individual Social Workers Insurance Programs AON/CASW Scholarship

Examples of CASW Activities Support Regulatory and Non-Regulatory Work of Member Organizations Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Ethical Practice (2005) Support to Member Organizations Membership with CNNAR Presidents of Member Organizations and CASW Sign CASW Code of Ethics (June, 2005)

Examples of CASW Activities Support Regulatory and Non-Regulatory Work of Member Organizations Assessment of Foreign Trained Social Work Degrees to determine equivalence to Canadian social work degrees (provided to all provinces/territories with the exception of British Columbia and Quebec) the application procedure as well as answers to frequently asked questions are explained in detail on CASW website

CASW on the International Stage Member of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) On-going CASW representation on IFSW Executive CASW representatives to IFSW meetings and membership in international working committees Provide on-going consultation to IFSW Clearinghouse for international information Connection between CASW social workers and the IFSW and vice versa Memorandum of Understanding with NASW (US)

Why Join Your Professional Association? To have free access to national publications Canadian Social Work CASW Bulletin To access Members’ Site of the CASW website To have special rates for national conference registration To be eligible to receive scholarships To have access to insurance programs To be nominated for national and provincial awards

Why Join Your Professional Association? Access to professional development opportunities Information on provincial/territorial, national and international opportunities Appointment to provincial/territorial and national committees and initiatives Appointment to represent CASW and provincial/territorial associations at government and coalition meetings Connecting to social workers locally, provincially, nationally and internationally Taking part in activities to promote the profession Taking part in activities to lobby for social justice issues that impact on the people with whom you work