Anyone working as a Social Worker in Manitoba—whether they are paid, unpaid, contracted, volunteering, or working full-time, part-time, or casually—must register with the Manitoba College of Social Workers. According to The Social Work Profession Act, social work is defined as “the application of social work knowledge, skills, values and practice methods in a person-in-environment context”, with the following objectives:
- to accomplish the core functions of social work, including helping people obtain services relating to their basic human needs, counseling of individuals, families and groups, and helping communities and groups provide or improve social and health services
- to assess, remediate and prevent social problems encountered by individuals, families and communities;
- to enhance individual, family and community social functioning
If you are engaged in activities outlined in the social work scope of practice, you must be registered in the practicing category. The scope of practice for Social Workers includes:
- case management
- psychosocial assessments and interventions
- general counseling
- psychotherapy
- relationship counseling
- child and adolescent therapy
- family therapy
- program planning and development
- program management
- program evaluation
- policy research and development
- research
- group therapy
- cultural and spiritual counseling
- community development and organization
- child protective services
- structural social work practice
- social justice and client advocacy
- clinical outcome evaluation
- clinical supervision
- administrative supervision
- consultative services
- social work education
- private practice
Designation Use for Practicing Members
The College authorizes the use of the titles: “Social Worker” or “Registered Social Worker” for Practicing Members in good standing that signify you:
- Are entitled to practice as a Social Worker in Manitoba
- Possess social work knowledge and skills
- Are committed to maintaining and increasing professional knowledge through ongoing professional education
- Belong to a community of qualified and competent professionals committed to following an approved Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
The designations “Social Worker”, “Registered Social Worker”, “S.W.” and “R.S.W” are important distinctions that the College encourages Practicing Social Workers to use to promote professionalism in social work.
Designations authorized by MCSW are limited to those listed above.
All Members registered in the Practicing category are legally required to include in their signature their highest post-secondary academic credential, their position title, and their professional designation (RSW).
i.e. Kate Carter, MSW, RSW
Professional Liability Insurance
Every practicing member must have professional liability insurance at a minimum value of $2,000,000. If employed with more than one organization (including private practice), practicing members must be covered by professional liability insurance at each place of employment.
Practicing members can obtain Professional Liability Insurance in several ways:
- In many cases, employers carry liability insurance for their Social Work staff, particularly in government and large institutions. Please check with your employer before purchasing individual liability insurance.
- The Manitoba College of Social Workers is part of a national insurance program through the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW). MCSW members can choose to buy liability insurance through CASW.
- Members can also choose to purchase professional liability insurance from an insurance provider of their choice.
Members declare at the time of application and at each renewal that they carry professional liability insurance.
Practice Limitations and Conditions
Registered Social Workers (RSWs) may have certain limits or conditions on how they can practice. These limits will be listed on their Certificate of Practice and on the public Register of Social Workers. RSWs who became members through the grandparenting process have demonstrated competence in a specific area of social work and are only allowed to practice in those approved areas. For example, an RSW with a limitation in Addictions Services can only work in that area and cannot practice in other fields, like general Counseling or Assessment. Examples of conditions include completing certain training or supervision. RSWs must follow these conditions while practicing.