Manitoba College of Social Workers FAQ

Manitoba College of Social Workers FAQ

History of the College The Social Work Profession Act was passed by the Manitoba government in October 2009 and proclaimed into law on November 5, 2014 The Manitoba College of Social Workers succeeds the Manitoba Institute of Registered Social Workers, a voluntary regulatory organization for Social Workers in Manitoba that began in 1966 The College will begin operations on April 1, 2015 - the coming into force date of The Social Work Profession Act

What is the Manitoba College of Social Workers?

The Manitoba College of Social Workers ( the College ) is a regulatory body that has a primary goal of protecting the public interest. The College s mandate is to: promote learning and skill development of Social Workers provide accountability for the conduct of members through self regulation promote a greater awareness of Social Work in Manitoba advance the professional interests of College members

Self-Regulation Professional regulation provides the public with the reasonable expectation that individuals representing themselves as Social Workers have the specialized knowledge and skills required for entry to practice. Like other professional bodies, the Manitoba College of Social Workers defines the requirements and qualifications needed to practice as a Social Worker in Manitoba.

Self-Regulation The College establishes accountability and public confidence through members adherence to the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) Code of Ethics and the Manitoba College of Social Workers Standards of Practice. The College has the responsibility to evaluate the conduct of its members in response to public complaints.

What is Social Work?

Social Work is The practice of Social Work is the application of social work knowledge, skills, values and practice methods in a person-in-environment context with the following objectives: Helping people obtain services relating to their basic human needs Counselling of individuals, families and groups Helping communities and groups provide or improve social and health services To assess, remediate and prevent social problems encountered by individuals, families and communities To enhance individual, family and community functioning

Who should Register with the Manitoba College of Social Workers?

Use of Title Social Worker Any person who uses the title Social Worker or Registered Social Worker or any variation of this designation must be registered with the College.

Representation as a Social Worker Individuals who represent themselves or hold themselves out as social workers, regardless of position, title or designation, are required to register with the College. Practitioners must consider whether their conduct would lead a reasonable member of the public to believe that they were a Social Worker. Individuals that use signs, displays or advertisements implying that they are Social Workers must be registered with the College.

MIRSW Members MIRSW members in good standing on March 31, 2015 will not be required to apply to the Manitoba College of Social Workers. MIRSW members will be required to register with the College through a renewal process for the registration year of April 1 to March 31.

Applicants - Accredited/Approved Social Work Degrees These categories include Social Workers who have graduated from: a Social Work degree program accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education http://caswe-acfts.ca/members/institutional/ a Social Work degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (U.S. accrediting agency) http://www.cswe.org/ Booth University College Social Work Program Graduates from an accredited or approved program please APPLY NOW at www.mirsw.mb.ca

Applicants Grandparenting This category includes applicants currently working in a Social Work capacity in Manitoba who do not have a social work degree. The Manitoba College of Social Workers has a grandparenting process that recognizes current practitioners functioning as social workers as their principal occupation. Applicants must provide evidence, verified by their employer, that they have functioned as a Social Worker safely, competently and ethically for at least 4400 hours in the previous 5 years.

Applicants Grandparenting All practitioners using the title Social Worker or representing themselves as Social Workers on or after April 1, 2015 must be registered with the College. The grandparenting category is time-limited and available to eligible applicants until April 1, 2018. Grandparented applicants may APPLY NOW at www.mirsw.mb.ca

Non-Practicing Social Worker Non-practicing designation is available under the following circumstances: Retirement, unemployment, leave of absence, long-term disability or residing in another jurisdiction While in the Non-Practicing category, registrants: are not able to practice as a registered social worker cannot use the designation R.S.W can only represent themselves as a Non-Practicing Social Worker

Temporary Social Worker Temporary registration is available to those who are registered as a practicing social worker in another jurisdiction who wish to temporarily practice in Manitoba or with clients from Manitoba. Temporary registration is limited to a period not exceeding 90 days per registration year.

Applicants who are Internationally Educated Applicants who have completed an international social work education program must complete the International Assessment of Credentials process through the Canadian Association of Social Workers prior to applying for registration with the College. Please contact CASW at: http://www.casw-acts.ca/en/what-socialwork/international-assessment-credentials

Student Applicants This category includes students enrolled in: an accredited social work education program in Manitoba, or the Booth University College Social Work Program. Students: must represent themselves as Social Work Students, and cannot practice as Registered Social Workers or use the designation R.S.W. Students are required to complete a separate process of registration as a Social Worker after their degree is conferred. Students may apply now by visiting the MIRSW website at www.mirsw.mb.ca

Social Work Corporations The Manitoba College of Social Workers will maintain a register of professional Social Work corporations. The requirements for applying for a Corporate Permit are currently being developed.

Application Requirements Application requirements include but are not limited to: Completed application form Proof of identity Original copies of completed Criminal Records, Child Abuse and Adult Abuse Registry Checks Estimated processing time 6 8 weeks Payment of $50 application fee ($100 after March 31, 2015; $10 student fee)

Annual Registration Fees Registrants must pay annual fees in the following amounts: Social Worker (practicing) $360 New graduate (practicing) $240 Social Worker (temporary) $30/month Social Work Student $60 Non-practicing member $180 * Fees will be pro-rated for new registrants based on the College registration year of April 1 March 31.

Professional Liability Insurance All Social Workers who hold a Certificate of Practice must carry professional liability insurance. Social Workers must confirm that they have professional liability insurance through their employer, or Social Workers must verify that they have obtained independent professional liability insurance A national group insurance program through the Canadian Association of Social Workers is available for purchase by members of the College Annual insurance rates are between $100 and $240 depending on selected coverage

Message to Employers If employees work as Social Workers, either by title or through representation, or are considered by the public to be Social Workers they must be registered with the College. The Social Work Profession Act requires that any person who employs a Social Worker is legally obligated to ensure that the Social Worker is registered.

Benefits of Registration A strong governing body builds a strong profession The legal right to use the title Social Worker, Registered Social Worker and/or represent yourself as a Social Worker in Manitoba Recognition as an ethical and competent Social Worker who practices within recognized professional standards and who values public accountability

Benefits of Registration Access to professional development opportunities geared specifically to Social Workers Membership in provincial, national and international social work organizations that: support professional regulation promote the profession of social work advocate for social justice Professional Networking

Legislation The Manitoba College of Social Workers is governed by: The Social Work Profession Act The Manitoba College of Social Workers Regulation The General Operating Bylaw of The Manitoba College of Social Workers

Questions? Manitoba Institute of Registered Social Workers 101-2033 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3J 0K6 Phone: 204-888-9477 Website: www.mirsw.mb.ca Email: admin@mirsw.mb.ca