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www.casw-acts.ca
www.casw-acts.ca
Social Work in Canada30,751 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 2006 . http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=AR_1446_E&cw_topic=1446
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The Face of Registered Social Workers in Canada
52%
10%
38% Female
Male
Unknown
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Source: Canadian Institute for Health Information (2006). Health Personnel Provincial Profiles 2006 . http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=AR_1446_E&cw_topic=1446
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.
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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
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What Do Social Workers DoSome 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
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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
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Where Do Social Workers Practice?
www.casw-acts.ca
Source: Job Futures National Edition (2006).
http://www.jobfutures.ca/noc/4152p1.shtml
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
www.casw-acts.ca
Regulation of Social Work in CanadaSocial 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
www.casw-acts.ca
Regulation of Social Work in CanadaThe 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
www.casw-acts.ca
Practising as a Social Worker in CanadaHourly wages are similar to comparable occupations
Wages grew at an above average rate from 2002 to 2004
The unionization rate is 69%
www.casw-acts.ca
http://www.jobfutures.ca/noc/4152p1.shtml
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
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Issues Relating to the Profession
safety
resources to meet client needs
training and continuing education
supervision
uniform salaries
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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
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About CASWFederated 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.”
www.casw-acts.ca
History of CASW
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
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CASW Office and Staff
CASW national office located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
CASW office has 5 staff positions including:
Three administrative staff positionsTwo social work positions
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About CASWCASW 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)www.casw-acts.ca
CASW TodayCASW Social Policy Principles
Dignity and Respect EqualityEquityComprehensivenessQuality ServicesConstitutional Integrity Subsidiarity Social Dialogue
CASW Social Policy Principles are available in full on the CASW website
(www.casw-acts.ca)
www.casw-acts.ca
Examples of CASW ActivitiesAdvancing 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.
www.casw-acts.ca
Examples of CASW ActivitiesStrengthen 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 InitiativeCASW/CASWE Memorandum of Understanding
www.casw-acts.ca
Examples of CASW ActivitiesStrengthen 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
www.casw-acts.ca
Examples of CASW ActivitiesSupport Regulatory and Non-Regulatory Work of
Member OrganizationsCode of Ethics and Guidelines for Ethical Practice
(2005)
Support to Member Organizations
Membership with CNNAR
Presidents of Member Organizations and CASWSign CASW Code of Ethics (June, 2005)
Examples of CASW ActivitiesSupport 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
www.casw-acts.ca
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)
www.ifsw.orgwww.casw-acts.ca
Why Join Your Professional Association?To have free access to national publications
Canadian Social WorkCASW Bulletin
To access Members’ Site of the CASW websiteTo have special rates for national conference
registrationTo be eligible to receive scholarshipsTo have access to insurance programsTo be nominated for national and provincial
awards
www.casw-acts.ca
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 professionTaking part in activities to lobby for social justice
issues that impact on the people with whom you work
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www.casw-acts.ca
