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VICTORIA – Legislation that will enhance governance for registered social workers and increase protection for the public was introduced today by Children and Family Development Minister Tom Christensen.
“These changes will strengthen the professional governance of registered social workers in B.C. and improve protection and accountability for the public,” said Christensen. “Registered social workers have told us they want stronger self-regulation and better public protection and we have acted on that advice.”
The legislation will replace the almost 40-year-old Social Workers Act, bringing it up to date with other modern statutes for professional self-governance. The proposed changes will replace the existing Board of Registration for Social Workers with a new BC College of Social Workers. The board of the college would be responsible to govern, control and administer the affairs of the college.
Under the proposed changes:
· A self-governing College of Social Workers will be created with a board accountable to its members.
· Public protection will be enhanced by strengthening the college’s disciplinary powers and by requiring employers to report terminations for misconduct to the college.
· All registered social workers will be required to report suspected abuse of clients by another registered social worker.
· A business associate who has reason to believe to registrant might harm a member of the public and dissolves their business association as a result will also be required to report that to the college.
· The college will be required to provide public notification of disciplinary decisions.
· The college will have the authority to make bylaws in all areas necessary for professional governance.
“We are very pleased that government is amending the legislation to bring the Social Workers Act up to date. By doing so, this will make the registered social work profession self regulated through a college, which is consistent with other professions,” said Jim Campbell, chair of the Board of Registration for Social Workers. “We look forward to these improvements which will provide for more effective protection of the public and improved standards of practice for social workers in B.C.”
Under the current structure, the Board of Registration for Social Workers’ members are appointed by government and lack sufficient authority for effective regulation of the profession. The new college will have an elected board where two-thirds of its members are elected by registered social workers and the remaining members appointed by the minister, increasing the board’s accountability to the social workers it regulates.
“This government is committed to building the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, special needs, children at risk and seniors,” said Christensen. “This legislation supports that commitment by enabling a new BC College of Social Workers to better protect the safety of the often vulnerable people who receive registered social work services throughout the province.”
Registered social workers provide a wide range of services in schools, hospitals, mental health and treatment facilities, acute and long-term health settings, child and family programs, resource and counselling centres, non-profit and government organizations. The new Social Workers Act will represent the public interest while serving the professionalism of registered B.C. social workers.
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Media Relations Officer Ministry of Children and Family Development 250 356-2939 250 818-4508 (cell) |
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