Myths About Social workers

FACT: Social workers are highly skilled professionals who have a university degree in social work at the bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level.

To practise social work in Ontario, individuals must be registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, the regulatory body that oversees the profession and enforces professional standards.

Social workers regularly engage in professional development to deepen their understanding of emerging care strategies and strengthen their ability to serve underserved and vulnerable populations.

FACT: Social workers provide services to people of all ages and from all social and economic backgrounds.

You will find social workers working in:

• Private practice
• Community mental health and addictions
• Hospital health care
• Education
• Children and youth services
• Primary health care
• Gerontology and elder care services
• Child protection
• Gender- and sexual-based violence
• Policy, research and advocacy
• Developmental services
• Justice, corrections and courts
• Indigenous social work
• Outreach and community development

…and in many more settings.

FACT: Social workers are the largest group of practitioners providing psychotherapy and other mental health services in the province.

Registered social workers (RSWs) assess, diagnose, treat and evaluate individual and societal challenges to enhance social functioning. They work to reduce systemic barriers, promote equity, inclusion and belonging, and support system-level interventions.

RSWs use strengths-based and client-centred approaches, combining direct support with advocacy and systemic change.

Find out more about how to choose a therapist that best suits your needs here.

FACT: This perception of social work is inaccurate.

Most social workers spend their careers supporting individuals and communities in a wide range of ways. This can include one-on-one therapy, connecting clients to wraparound supports and assistance programs, advocacy, conducting and publishing research, and more.

While some social workers are employed in government agencies that administer financial assistance programs, this is not the primary role of most social workers.

FACT: Social workers are dedicated to strengthening families and supporting safe, nurturing environments where children can grow and thrive.

When there is reason to believe that a child is being harmed—or is at risk of being harmed—and requires protection, social workers, like all professionals, are legally required under provincial legislation to report concerns to children’s aid and the police.

Social workers employed by Children’s Aid Societies focus exclusively on child protection, as mandated by provincial legislation.