B.C. social workers will now be governed and regulated by the B.C. College of Social Workers, which has been created under the new Social Workers Act.
Under the new legislation, the college will have disciplinary powers and will require employers to report to the college terminations of registered social workers for misconduct, incompetence or incapacity. Registered social workers will be required to report any suspected abuse of clients by other registered social workers.
The college will publicize any disciplinary decisions on members and will have the authority to make bylaws for the profession in B.C.
The changes are part of a revised Social Workers Act, which hadn't been updated in almost 40 years.