New Code of Ethics launched for Canadian social workers

The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) launched a new Code of Ethics guideline Tuesday.

The group says it has consolidated its core values and principles into a single document for outreach workers across the country.

Today’s announcement marks the first major update to the organization’s Code of Ethics resource in over two decades.

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“Canadian society has changed significantly over the last two decades, with massive upheaval in the last few years alone,” said Joan Davis Whelan, CASW President. “This Code of Ethics equips social workers across the country to grapple with this changing reality.”

She says that streamlining everything into a singular resource will hopefully better equip social workers to assist their clients.

The new code is made up of seven values and has a new focus tailored around the principles of Truth and Reconciliation.

The overhaul took the organization five years and involved hundreds of surveys, focus groups and interviews with marginalized people.

To view the updated Code of Ethics, click here.

In Canada, legislation around social work is done on a province-by-province basis.

While CASW is not a regulatory body for the profession, it serves as a resource for workers in the industry and acts as a national voice representing prominent issues those in the field may face.