Regulation - LGIC
Proposed Changes to Ontario Regulation 383/00 under the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 383/00
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998
Summary of Proposal:
Under the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers is responsible for governing its members and regulating the practice of social work and social service work in Ontario. Under the Act, the College may make regulations on a variety of subject matters, including registration, subject to prior review by the Minister of Community and Social Services and subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The College has proposed the following amendments:
Provisional Certificates
The "Provisional" Class of certificate of registration was created when the College was formed as a way to grandparent applicants who did not meet the education requirements for a General certificate of registration, but who could demonstrate experience performing the role of a social worker or social service worker, in accordance with the requirements of the registration regulation. Over ten years have passed since applicants were able to apply for Provisional certificates of registration. The proposed amendment will eliminate Provisional Class of certificates of registration, and deem those members to hold a General Class of certificate of registration.
Retired Class of Membership
The proposed amendment will create a new Retired Class of certificate of registration for social workers and social service workers who are retired but would like to remain a member of the College. Retired social workers or social service workers will not be permitted to practise but can use the title "retired social worker" or "retired social service worker."
Compliance with Guidelines Relating to Continuing Competence
Paragraph 3 of section 6 of O. Reg. 383/00 provides that a member must provide evidence satisfactory to the College of the member's continuing competence to practise social work or social service work. The proposed amendment will require a member, within 30 days of a request being made, to provide information and documents, in the manner and form requested by the College, to demonstrate compliance with continuing competence guidelines.
Mentally Competent to Practice
The current paragraph 3.i. of subsection 5(2). provides that an applicant's past and present conduct must afford reasonable grounds for belief that the applicant "is mentally competent to practise social work or social service work, as the case may be." The proposed amendment changes this wording to "does not suffer from any physical or mental condition or disorder that could affect his or her ability to practise social work or social service work, as the case may be, in a safe manner." The proposed amendment clarifies the requirement relates to an applicant's ability to practise in a safe manner and is consistent with registration regulations for other professional regulatory bodies in Ontario (e.g. Nursing Act, 1991, O. Reg. 275/94, paragraph 2. i. of subsection 1.4 (1)).
Suspension of a Certificate of Registration
The proposed amendment will create an administrative procedure in the event that reasonable and probable grounds exist to believe that a member made a false or misleading statement, representation or declaration in or in connection with their application. The Registrar will be given the authority to suspend a member's certificate of registration. If the Registrar suspends a member's certificate of registration, the Registrar shall refer the matter to the Council or the Executive Committee.
Provisional Certificates
The "Provisional" Class of certificate of registration was created when the College was formed as a way to grandparent applicants who did not meet the education requirements for a General certificate of registration, but who could demonstrate experience performing the role of a social worker or social service worker, in accordance with the requirements of the registration regulation. Over ten years have passed since applicants were able to apply for Provisional certificates of registration. The proposed amendment will eliminate Provisional Class of certificates of registration, and deem those members to hold a General Class of certificate of registration.
Retired Class of Membership
The proposed amendment will create a new Retired Class of certificate of registration for social workers and social service workers who are retired but would like to remain a member of the College. Retired social workers or social service workers will not be permitted to practise but can use the title "retired social worker" or "retired social service worker."
Compliance with Guidelines Relating to Continuing Competence
Paragraph 3 of section 6 of O. Reg. 383/00 provides that a member must provide evidence satisfactory to the College of the member's continuing competence to practise social work or social service work. The proposed amendment will require a member, within 30 days of a request being made, to provide information and documents, in the manner and form requested by the College, to demonstrate compliance with continuing competence guidelines.
Mentally Competent to Practice
The current paragraph 3.i. of subsection 5(2). provides that an applicant's past and present conduct must afford reasonable grounds for belief that the applicant "is mentally competent to practise social work or social service work, as the case may be." The proposed amendment changes this wording to "does not suffer from any physical or mental condition or disorder that could affect his or her ability to practise social work or social service work, as the case may be, in a safe manner." The proposed amendment clarifies the requirement relates to an applicant's ability to practise in a safe manner and is consistent with registration regulations for other professional regulatory bodies in Ontario (e.g. Nursing Act, 1991, O. Reg. 275/94, paragraph 2. i. of subsection 1.4 (1)).
Suspension of a Certificate of Registration
The proposed amendment will create an administrative procedure in the event that reasonable and probable grounds exist to believe that a member made a false or misleading statement, representation or declaration in or in connection with their application. The Registrar will be given the authority to suspend a member's certificate of registration. If the Registrar suspends a member's certificate of registration, the Registrar shall refer the matter to the Council or the Executive Committee.
Further Information:
Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998
Proposal Number:
16-CSS001
Posting Date:
November 17, 2016
Comments Due Date:
January 5, 2017
Contact Address:
Hepburn Block
4th Floor, 80 Grosvenor Street,
Toronto ON M7A 1E9
4th Floor, 80 Grosvenor Street,
Toronto ON M7A 1E9