Why See a Clinical Social Worker?
Social workers make a difference! They help individuals, families, groups and communities to realize their potential and assist people to enjoy full, active and creative lives. They work to create social and environmental conditions to enhance quality of life and to develop the full potential of each individual, group and community in society.

Social workers are advocates, counselors, policy analysts, administrators, activists, facilitators, mediators, organizers and researchers. They:

• work with individuals, families, groups and communities to shape and change the conditions in which they live
• advocate for disadvantaged members of society
• work towards the elimination of structural inequalities in society to facilitate a more equitable distribution of social, economic and political resources
• engage in research to build our knowledge base and understanding of society
• analyze, challenge and develop social policies

A Multi-faceted Profession
Social workers apply their skills to a wide range of concerns. People most often associate social work with services to the disadvantaged members of society. That is only one dimension of their work. Social workers also work with people with physical or mental health concerns, with families in crisis, street youth, seniors, criminal offenders, victims of trauma, and so on. Working with individuals, families and groups, however, is only part of the picture. Many social workers work on a larger scale, providing services to improve social conditions and plan for better communities. Others are trained in social policy and work to plan or improve social programs and benefits for the nation&146;s or province&146;s citizens. Many social workers specialize in research, studying such problems as those related to family issues, child abuse, poverty and unemployment.

Social Workers Practice in Diverse Settings
Social workers practice as counselors and administrators in child welfare settings, family service agencies, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, mental health organizations, community care facilities, addiction programs, treatment centres, employee assistance programs, community living agencies, and other similar organizations. Community organizers work out of community centres and grassroots social action organizations. Social workers specializing in social policy and planning most often work in government or for associations such as planning councils. Social work researchers will practice in universities, government departments and social agencies. Some social workers are self-employed, offering counseling, consultative and other services directly to the public or to workplaces on a fee-for-service basis, or contracting their services to organizations.

Social Work Education and Training
You must have a university degree to practice social work. A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) requires four years of university study. An additional year of graduate study is required for a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. If you have a non-social work undergraduate degree you must complete two years of study for your MSW degree. Completion of an MSW ensures better opportunities for advancement. Some organizations will require an MSW as their minimal educational requirement.

Canadian Schools of Social Work
There are seven schools of social work in British Columbia. There are also distance education programs available. A complete listing of Schools of Social Work in Canada can be found on the website of The Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work.

Foreign Credentials
Graduates of social work programs outside of Canada must determine if their credentials will be recognized in British Columbia. To do so, you must have your credentials evaluated by the International Credential Evaluation Service. Contact ICES at their website or by email.

Social Work Practice in BC
For information about Social Work practice as it relates to the BC labor market, refer to the Work Futures BC website. Here you will find comprehensive information about education and training in BC, working conditions, salary ranges, and employment prospects within the province.

Social Work Practice in Canada
"In Critical Demand: The Occupation of Social Work in Canada" - National Sector Study

In partnership with the Canadian Association of Social Workers, Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, Canadian Committee of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work and Regroupement des Unites de formation universitaires en travail social, Human Resources Develoment Canada recently undertook a multi-stage sectoral study process. Read the report at http://www.socialworkincanada.org.

Becoming a Registered Social Worker in BC
The British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW) is the regulatory body for the profession. Their mandate is to protect the public by registering social workers who meet the minimum requirements, encouraging high standards of practice and investigating and resolving complaints about the practice of Registered Social Workers. It is not mandatory to be registered with the BRSW in order to obtain work in British Columbia. Social workers with the government, health regions, school boards and other public sector agencies are exempt from this requirement. However, some employers do require registration in their hiring policies. Other agencies may employ people with social work qualifications, but if they are not called social workers they are not required to be registered.

The BRSW may register anyone with a BSW, MSW, or Ph.D. in social work from an approved university. In Canada this means a social work program accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work. An American program must be accredited with the Council on Social Work Education. For further information, contact BRSW.

Job Search on the Web
Check the B.C. Association of Social Workers job postings, as well as their links that advertise employment opportunities for social workers and provide information about job prospects.

Information Source: B.C. Association of Social Workers