About CASW

CASW Represents Canadian Professional Social Workers

Building Together

Founded in 1926 to monitor employment conditions and to establish standards of practice within the profession, the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) has evolved into a national voice. The CASW Board of Directors determines and oversees general and financial policies. With each provincial/territorial member organization appointing one member to the Board, a unified voice for the Canadian social work profession is assured.  The Board of Directors works from a national and, indeed, an international perspective to benefit the social work profession.

Speaking Internationally

CASW is active in the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), providing leadership within the IFSW Executive as well as within the North American Region. The expertise of CASW in social policy, its concern for social justice and its continued role in social advocacy is recognized and called upon by IFSW.

Speaking Nationally

On a national level, CASW has adopted a pro-active approach to issues pertinent to social policy/social work. It produces and distributes timely information for its members, and special projects are initiated and sponsored.

CASW representatives serve on coalitions and participate on a host of affiliated, nationwide committees on a continuing basis.  As well, they provide consultation with government, other professional and non-governmental groups and, of course, the general public.

To preserve the highest degree of excellence within the profession, CASW provides assessment of academic qualifications of non-North American social workers who wish to practise in Canada.

Encouraging Participation

By joining the appropriate provincial /territorial social workers’ organizations, social workers automatically become affiliated with the Canadian Association of Social Workers. Because of its broad-based membership, CASW is able to offer the benefits and advantages associated with a professional organization, such as insurance packages that include professional liability insurance, group life, disability, and a retirement plan.

In June 2011, CASW adopted individual membership categories in order to maintain a viable national voice. Individual memberships are being offered only to regions of Canada that do not have Partner Organizations (Alberta, Ontario and Québec). CASW individual memberships will be subject to, and come into force upon final approval of CASW Bylaws by Industry Canada. 

Publishing, Producing, Distributing

The CASW journal Canadian Social Work and the CASW Bulletin are published in English and French, and are available to each member of CASW member organization on the Members' Site of the CASW website. The Journal addresses current issues of interest to the Canadian social work community. The Bulletin provides information both on CASW initiatives and on the activities of its member associations.

CASW Member Organization:

Mission Statement

CASW promotes the profession of social work in Canada and advances social justice.
Adopted October 2010 

Purposes and Objectives

1) To advance social justice.

2) To strengthen and promote the social work profession.

Strategic Directions

The CASW has adopted three strategic directions which reflect the purposes and objects of the organization. The strategic directions aim to guide the activities of the CASW, ensuring efforts promote the long-term plans of the organization.

1) The pursuit of social justice

CASW Social Policy Principles

The CASW Social Policy Principles are used by the CASW to guide evaluation of federal social policy initiatives. The social policy principles are identified with a statement that indicates implications for practice.

For document in full, see attachments