Regulation - Minister
Regulations relating to requirements for qualifications of Children's Aid Society staff
Regulation Number(s):
N/A
Instrument Type:
Regulation - Minister
Bill or Act:
Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017
Summary of Proposal:
Requirements for qualifications of Children's Aid Society staff:
The proposed regulation would prescribe minimum qualification requirements for Local Directors of children's aid societies. Local Directors of children's aid societies will have a number of powers, duties and procedural rights under the CYFSA related to child protection and adoption and as such, require specific expertise. The proposed regulations would require that Local Directors have successfully completed a professional degree or diploma in social work at an accredited school of social work in Canada or an equivalent school of social work outside of Canada, and have a minimum of three years of experience working in the child welfare practice areas of child protection, adoption, or residential services. Under the proposed regulation, existing Local Directors would continue as Local Directors (e.g. will be "grandfathered in"). Additionally, societies would be permitted to appoint a person as a Local Director who does not meet these minimum requirements, but only if the Minister is satisfied that the person has educational qualifications and professional experience suitable for the position.
The proposed regulation would include a common definition of a "society supervisor" and set minimum qualification requirements for society supervisors. Children's aid society supervisors provide clinical oversight of key decisions affecting the safety, permanency and well-being of children and as such, require specific expertise. The proposed regulation would require that society supervisors have a professional degree or diploma in social work from an accredited school of social work in Canada or educational qualifications and experience that, in the opinion of the Local Director, constitute adequate and suitable preparation for supervising child protection workers and other society employees providing child welfare services.
It is proposed that existing regulatory provisions under the CFSA which specify various classifications of "social workers" to be employed by societies would be revoked and not continue under the CYFSA, as they do not align with the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998. The Social Work and Social Service Work Act establishes the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and sets the objects of the College. The Act provides that only registered social workers or social service workers can use the title "social worker" or "social service worker". The College, through regulation, prescribes standards, qualifications and other requirements for the issuing of certificates of registration.
Reference Regulations:
• Regulation 70 under the CFSA
• O. Reg 206/00 under the CFSA
The proposed regulation would prescribe minimum qualification requirements for Local Directors of children's aid societies. Local Directors of children's aid societies will have a number of powers, duties and procedural rights under the CYFSA related to child protection and adoption and as such, require specific expertise. The proposed regulations would require that Local Directors have successfully completed a professional degree or diploma in social work at an accredited school of social work in Canada or an equivalent school of social work outside of Canada, and have a minimum of three years of experience working in the child welfare practice areas of child protection, adoption, or residential services. Under the proposed regulation, existing Local Directors would continue as Local Directors (e.g. will be "grandfathered in"). Additionally, societies would be permitted to appoint a person as a Local Director who does not meet these minimum requirements, but only if the Minister is satisfied that the person has educational qualifications and professional experience suitable for the position.
The proposed regulation would include a common definition of a "society supervisor" and set minimum qualification requirements for society supervisors. Children's aid society supervisors provide clinical oversight of key decisions affecting the safety, permanency and well-being of children and as such, require specific expertise. The proposed regulation would require that society supervisors have a professional degree or diploma in social work from an accredited school of social work in Canada or educational qualifications and experience that, in the opinion of the Local Director, constitute adequate and suitable preparation for supervising child protection workers and other society employees providing child welfare services.
It is proposed that existing regulatory provisions under the CFSA which specify various classifications of "social workers" to be employed by societies would be revoked and not continue under the CYFSA, as they do not align with the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998. The Social Work and Social Service Work Act establishes the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and sets the objects of the College. The Act provides that only registered social workers or social service workers can use the title "social worker" or "social service worker". The College, through regulation, prescribes standards, qualifications and other requirements for the issuing of certificates of registration.
Reference Regulations:
• Regulation 70 under the CFSA
• O. Reg 206/00 under the CFSA
Further Information:
Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017
Proposal Number:
17-CYS034
Posting Date:
December 12, 2017
Comments Due Date:
January 26, 2018
Contact Address:
Ministry of Children and Youth Services
56 Wellesley St West, 15th Floor
Toronto, ON M5S 2S3
56 Wellesley St West, 15th Floor
Toronto, ON M5S 2S3