A survey about social work oversight in B.C. is available to social work practitioners and the general public.

The survey will help the Ministry of Children and Family Development strengthen understanding of the range of needs and perspectives surrounding social work oversight.

Social workers focus on enhancing the well-being of individuals, families and communities, while promoting social fairness and equal access and distribution of resources. They work in a variety of settings and serve a broad range of children, youth and adults in communities throughout B.C., including Indigenous rights and title holders and partners.

The social work profession is regulated by the British Columbia College of Social Workers. The Social Workers Act sets the college’s responsibilities and powers. The ministry has responsibility for oversight of the B.C. Social Workers Act.

Social workers must register with the college unless they are exempt under the Social Workers Regulation. The regulation exempts social workers employed by provincial and federal governments, municipalities, regional districts and boards of education, First Nations, Indigenous child and family service agencies, and post-secondary institutions.

The following public engagement tools are now available and will remain open until Jan. 13, 2023:

• a survey for social work practitioners;
• a survey for the general public; and
• an invitation for written submissions.

Learn More:

To learn more and to complete a survey, or to provide a written submission, visit the Social Work Oversight page on the EngageBC website: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/socialworkoversight/

For more information about the British Columbia College of Social Workers, visit: https://bccsw.ca/

For more information about the Social Workers Act, visit: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/08031_01