MANAGING A LEGAL AND ETHICAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

INTRO:

In 1998 the Government of Ontario introduced the Social Work and Social Service Work Act. The Act came into force in 2000. Among other things, the Act creates a new College to regulate the activities of social workers and social service workers in the province of Ontario. Social Work has now been given a long-awaited opportunity to legitimize itself as a true profession.

The purpose of this book is to help registered social workers and social service workers understand the new legislation and the effect that regulation by the college will have on their day-to-day professional lives. It provides a step-by-step guide to the Act with practical information including examples, precedents and forms which guide the social worker in meeting the requirements of the new legislation.

Dedication

The book is dedicated to Kim Ann Popen, Sara Podniewicz and Jordan Heikamp, whose tragic deaths provided the impetus for the passage of the Social Work and Social Service Work Act in Ontario. We challenge all social workers and social service workers to embrace the ideals that come with this legislation. In doing so we honour and give meaning to the brief lives of these children. This will be their legacy.