Highlights of Benefits and Services

OASW membership ensures a voice for social workers at the local, provincial, national and international levels. Association members are automatically members of the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW).

OASW membership services include:

Advocacy
Response to government on the development and implementation of social policy affecting social work clients, services and programs; public response to issues of social interest or concern.

Professional Practice
Representing the interests and concerns of the profession within the broader community to heighten the visibility and profile of social work and social workers and advocating on behalf of the profession.

Continuing Competency
Affordable, relevant professional development/continuing education programs that meet changing practice and work force needs.

Employment Services
Online job advertisements, job search materials, guidelines for social work employment practices, information on salaries.

Private Practice Services
Substantially reduced rates on professional liability insurance, a handbook on generating your own employment, advocacy with insurance companies for third-party payments for social work services, Find A Social Worker online directory.

Tangible Benefits and Services
Discounts on group insurance policies, services (e.g. fitness club, telecommunications, etc.), publications/resource materials and continuing education.

Publications
Code of Ethics, professional practice guidelines and publications, national and provincial bilingual regular publications, plus local newsletters/bulletins, Generating Your Own Employment handbook, salary grids, Legal Guide for Social Workers.

Leadership and Networking Opportunities and Interests
Opportunities to provide leadership and to network with colleagues on local and provincial boards, committees, task forces and virtual groups related to specific interests or fields of practice (e.g., school social workers, social workers in home care, etc.

National Benefits
National journal, monthly online publication, policy statements, national conference, subcommittees and interest groups, awards, link with provincial/territorial associations and international federation, insurance plans, member-protected online resources.

Social Work Week
Program ideas and promotional materials for the celebration of National Social Work Week every year during the first week of March. (Some branches and agencies celebrate at other times and the materials are available year-round).