OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES FOR IMMIGRANTS TO B.C. NOC: 4152 REGULATED Social Workers Contents of this Guide Social Workers Introduction What are the Occupational Guides for Immigrants to B.C.? British Columbia welcomes you! Like you, over 35,000 immigrants from around the world settle in B.C. each year and find work in a variety of professions. The process of finding work can take time, so it is important to understand each of the steps needed to gain employment. If you are preparing to come to B.C., or have just arrived, this guide provides the following information: Section 1 - how this occupation is practiced in B.C. Section 2 - steps to help prepare you before you arrive Section 3 - qualifications needed in B.C. Section 4 - tips to help you find employment Section 1 Occupational Overview What is a social worker? Social workers help people. They assess diagnose, treat, and evaluate matters affecting individual, interpersonal relationship, and societal issues by creating strategies to help individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities function better. Individuals in this occupation often work with children in the family setting, and may make home visits to evaluate the development, care and safety of children. What qualifications are required to be a social worker in B.C.? It is mandatory to be registered with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW). However, there are a few agencies and roles that are exempt from registration. The field of social work is governed by the B.C. Social Workers Act. It is important to become familiar with the laws that govern the profession. To review this information, go to: www.bclaws.ca Learn More Some excellent sources of occupational information include: National Occupational Classification (NOC) is Canada’s reference on occupations. The NOC provides job descriptions, occupational statistics and labour market information. www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc Workforce Highlights 5,200 Social Workers in B.C. Wage $22.00 - $40.00 Hourly Range For more information on wages and workforce see Section 2 This Occupational Guide for Immigrants to BC is a resource to help immigrants build a career plan. Occupational qualifications and requirements sometimes change. Planning your career in BC will require additional research and direct contact with the appropriate regulatory bodies, professional associations and training institutions. This Occupational Guide is for general information only and is not legal or professional advice. www.WelcomeBC.ca OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES FOR IMMIGRANTS TO B.C. NOC: 4152 REGULATED Social Workers What skills and attributes do employers expect from social workers? Learn More Regulatory Contact Info Empathy Understanding Excellent English language and communication skills Strong professional ethics Computer competence Able to work in difficult situations British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW) In British Columbia, the BCCSW is responsible for regulating the profession of social workers. www.bccollegeofsocialworkers.ca Telephone: 604.737.4916 Where are social workers employed? Hospitals School boards Social service agencies Child welfare organizations Correctional facilities Community agencies Employee assistance programs Aboriginal band councils Private practice Section 2 Prepare Before You Come to B.C. Explore Regions in B.C. to Live and Work The demand for each occupation varies throughout the regions of the province. B.C. is a big province, about the same size as Tanzania or Venezuela, and bigger than Pakistan or Turkey. Each region has different employment needs and industries. Use the labour market information and resources in this guide to explore regional employment options. B.C. Labour Market Information B.C. DEVELOPMENT REGIONS To learn more about your chosen profession visit the following websites where you will find information including salaries, regional employment opportunities, job descriptions, and more. 1. 2. 3. 4. B.C. Job Trend Tracker www.bcjobtrendtracker.ca Education Planner www.educationplanner.ca Vancouver Island/Coast Mainland/Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay 7 5. 6. 7. 8. Cariboo North Coast Nechako Northeast 8 6 WorkBC www.workbc.ca Working in Canada Tool www.workingincanada.gc.ca BC Wage and Salary Survey 2009 www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/StatisticsBySubject/LabourIncome/Earnings.aspx 5 3 1 2 4 2 OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES FOR IMMIGRANTS TO B.C. NOC: 4152 REGULATED Social Workers Prepare Yourself Plan and prepare for your career as much as possible before arriving in B.C. Be sure you understand the provincial job market and professional requirements of your occupation. You may be able to start or complete many of these tasks before you arrive in Canada. Get Started! 1. Learn about the occupation. Know the name of the job in Canada, and make lists of potential employers. 2. Collect documents. Collect copies of relevant documents, and if necessary, have them translated into English. Degrees, diplomas or certificates from universities, colleges or schools Program descriptions related to your studies, and transcripts of grades Reference letters and performance reviews from employers Work descriptions and letters from professional agencies 3. Improve your workplace skills. You may need to improve your skills or knowledge before you start working in B.C. Explore all of the resources provided in this guide. Section 3 Becoming Qualified to work in B.C. The following information will help you understand how to become certified to work as a social worker in B.C. This is only a guide; you will have to do more research to make a career plan that will work for you. It is important to complete all of the activities listed below. It is not necessary to complete the activities in the order they are listed. To save time, it is advisable towork on many of these activities at the same time. Learn more about what is required to become qualified to work as a social worker in B.C. To become fully qualified as a registered social worker in B.C., you must become certified by the BCCSW. As an internationally trained social worker, you will have to do the following: ! Begin the qualification and career planning process and obtain all required documents before leaving our country. If you have already arrived in B.C., develop a career plan immediately to avoid creating a gap in your professional experience. Learn More International Credential Evaluation Services (ICES) International Credential Evaluation Services (ICES) www.bcit.ca/ices BCCSW requires credential evaluation completed by the International Credential Evaluation Services. You will need to get the basic report. For more information about credential evaluation, go to: www.bcit.ca/ices You may be required to submit the content of social work courses taken, including program and course outlines. Individuals who do not have a social work degree but have a degree in a related field may also be considered for full registration. An assessment of knowledge, skills and abilities must be completed by BCCSW. For more information, see Section 42; subsection 2 of the bylaws of the BCCSW: www.bccollegeofsocialworkers.ca/ resources/legislation-bylaws.htm For more information, go to: www.bccollegeofsocialworkers. ca/registration/registration-process.htm 3 OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES FOR IMMIGRANTS TO B.C. NOC: 4152 REGULATED Social Workers Review and download an application package for full registration from the BCCSW All social workers must be registered with the BCCSW unless employed by one of the exempt employers listed in the Social Workers Act. Full Registration Application www.bccollegeofsocialworkers.ca/registration/overview.htm Social Workers Act www.bclaws.ca Collect relevant documents and professional evidence ! To become registered, the BCCSW requires the submission of numerous documents. This is the current list of required documents. Regularly check the BCCSW website and its document requirements and qualification processes. These can change. Current List of Required Documents: Up-to-date resume Official transcript sent directly to the BCCSW from the degree granting institution Completed criminal record check Two letters of reference (sent directly by referees to BCCSW) A criminal record check from other countries lived or worked in Details of criminal record history Verification of registration/licensure forms to all regulatory bodies registered in past or present International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) basic report (sent directly to the BCCSW) For more information, go to: www.bccollegeofsocialworkers.ca/ registration/registration-categories/documents/ApplicationRSW_000.pdf Improve your language skills There is no English Language Assessment required by the BCCSW; however, excellent English language and communication skills are required. Efforts to improve your communication and presentation skills should be ongoing. Consider taking further English language and Canadian cultural training. ! Learning the English terms for social work terms and processes will improve your chances when taking exams or courses and will strengthen your opportunities for employment. English Language and Communication Services DIVERSEcity www.dcrs.ca S.U.C.C.E.S.S. www.successbc.ca TOEFL www.toefl.org English Language Services for Adults www.elsanet.org MOSAIC www.mosaicbc.com Welcome BC www.welcomebc.ca Planning to Work in British Columbia, Canada Workbook www.welcomebc.ca/local/wbc/docs/ BC_Workbook_EN_June4_Fillable.pdf IELTS International English Language Testing System www.ielts.org Immigrant Services Society of BC www.issbc.org 4 OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES FOR IMMIGRANTS TO B.C. NOC: 4152 REGULATED Social Workers If required, register in professional upgrading programs You may be required to take some courses in order to become certified as a social worker. Check with BCASW to get an understanding of what course you need to take. To see some of the programs available, go to: www.bcasw.org/careers Section 4 Tips to Finding Employment in B.C. as an OT Tips to Finding Employment in B.C. Get Help with Your Job Search Finding a job in B.C. may be very different than in your home country. You may need help finding job vacancies, updating your resume, writing cover letters, preparing for interviews, and understanding what B.C. employers are looking for. Skills Connect for Immigrants program provide employment-related support services that move internationally educated professionals into the B.C. labour market: www.welcomebc.ca/skillsconnect ! The Canadian government provides employment and settlement services in China, India, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. The program is called the Canadian Immigrant Integration Program (CIIP). To get more information about these pre-arrival services, go to: www.newcomersuccess.ca B.C. Employment and Labour Market Services employment programs: www.labourmarketservices.gov.bc.ca Build connections to your profession – begin networking Many job vacancies are not advertised. To find out about jobs that are not advertised, you must make connections with working social workers and others in the sector. Working as a volunteer is a good way to meet people, understand Canadian workplace culture and improve your English language and communication skills. Learn More Social workers may have various job titles or do different jobs such as: The associations listed below provide additional information and offer a variety of professional training, education and networking opportunities. Co-ordinator of social work Medical social worker Psychiatric social worker Social work supervisor Clinical social worker British Columbia Association of Social Workers www.bcasw.org Canadian Association of Social Workers www.casw-acts.ca This project is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada with support from the Province of British Columbia. www.WelcomeBC.ca Updated November 2012 5