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 with a minimum limit 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, brokered by BMS Canada Risk Services Ltd. (BMS).
- 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.
The CASW Liability Insurance Program
The CASW Insurance Program, delivered in partnership with BMS Canada Risk Services Ltd. (BMS), is the largest program of its kind for social workers in Canada with over 7,500 participants.
Professional Liability insurance (PLI) protects you against liability or allegations of liability for injury or damages that have resulted from a negligent act, error, omission, or malpractice that has arisen out of your professional capacity as a social worker, or if a complaint is made against you to an organization regulating your insured profession.
Commercial General Liability (CGL) protects you against claims arising from injury or property damage that you may cause to another person as a result of your operations and/or premises. For example, a client may slip and fall on a wet floor on your premises, or you may accidentally cause property damage to a client’s home during a consultation
Learn more about the combined PLI and CGL policy available to CASW members here.
Additional Coverage & Services
If you’re working in private practice – as a business owner or independent contractor – Individual PLI/CGL alone may not provide all the protection you need. That’s why CASW members also have access to a suite of specialized insurance products, including:
- Professional Liability & Commercial General Liability for your Business
- Contents, Crime, and Business Interruption coverage
- Legal Expense for Insurance Audits
- Cyber Security & Privacy Liability
- Personal & Family Cyber Protection
- Employment Practices Liability
- Legal Services Package
- Personal & Business Legal Solutions
- 24 Hour Accident Coverage
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Emergency Medical Travel Coverage
To learn more about the insurance products or to purchase coverage, please visit www.casw.bmsgroup.com or contact a BMS broker at 1-844-583-7747 or casw.insurance@bmsgroup.com.
For more information about your Insurance Broker, BMS, and Insurance Regulatory Principles of Conduct, please click here.
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 Section 11 (1) of the Act (existing practitioners without social work academic credentials) 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.