Virtual Counselling Resources

We know that many Social Workers across Canada provides virtual services to clients through video conference, Skype, Zoom, and telephone. This page offers some resources to support Social Workers in this process.

If you have not yet purchased liability insurance for your practice, click here to access CASW’s national liability insurance program offered through BMS – it is the only program in Canada for social workers with coverage specific to E-services.

CASW advises you to review the Standards of Practice on this subject put forward by your P rovincial Regulatory Body:

Province	Standards of Practice for E-Services	Additional Provincial Resources
British Columbia College of Social Workers	Standards of Practice: Technology and Social Work Practice	Temporary Class of Registration The BC Provincial Health Services Authority - COVID-19 Virtual Health Toolkit
Alberta College of Social Workers	Standards of Practice - See section E.3 Technology in Social Work Practice	Courtesy Registry - Multi-jurisdictional Application Requirements for Courtesy Registration
Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers	Standards of Practice For Registered Social Workers in Saskatchewan	Applicants with Current Practicing Registration with a Social Work Regulatory Body in Canada The Social Workers Regulatory Bylaws, 2023- See Temporary practising membership and Interjurisdictional electronic practising membership in Membership
Manitoba College of Social Workers	Electronic Social Work Practice	Standards of Practice Electronic Social Work Practice Information Sheet Telemental Health Informed Consent Temporary Authorization – Electronic Social Work Practice
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers	Professional and Ethical: Communication Technology Practices and Policies for a Digital World Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice	Are you a registered social worker practising in Canada who is interested in practising electronically – by exclusive means – in Ontario? Q&A: Practising Electronically In Ontario Practising Electronically in Ontario Cross-Jurisdictional Practice Social Media and Practice: Protecting Privacy and Professionalism in a Virtual World Top 10 Considerations for Using Communication Technology in Practice “But How Do I Know If I’m Competent?” – Issues to Consider
Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec	Normes réglementaires pour les technologies et la pratique du travail social
New Brunswick Association of Social Workers	Standards for the Use of Technology in Social Work Practice	Letter of Guidance Re: Technology and Social Work Practice Temporary Authorized Membership
Nova Scotia College of Social Workers	Information on Telepractice	Transitioning to telepractice Technology & Storage of Files Telepractice from outside NS
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers	Electronic Practice	Information for registered social workers (RSWs) in NL engaged in the practice of social work using electronic technologies. Information for Registered Social Workers from other Canadian jurisdictions
Prince Edward Island Social Work Registration Board	Standards of Practice	Private Practice Policy Registration Process See Temporary Application Process
Government of Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services	Northwest Territories Standards of Practice for Social Workers