Social workers

In British Columbia, social workers play a vital role in providing counseling, and supportive social services to individuals, families, and communities. 

About social workers

Social workers promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities by helping them navigate health and social systems, and by connecting them with services and resources to overcome social, economic, emotional, and psychological barriers. 

Social workers are represented by organizations such as the British Columbia College of Social Workers, which sets standards for registered social workers, and the BC Association of Social Workers, which promotes the profession and its values.   

To become a registered social worker in B.C., individuals must meet specific registration requirements, which can be found on the British Columbia College of Social Workers website.   

Social workers scope of practice include: 

  • assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of individual, interpersonal and societal issues
  • application of social work knowledge, skills, interventions and strategies, to assist individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities to achieve optimum psychological and social functioning 
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  • To practice as a registered social worker in British Columbia, you must be registered with the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW).
  • Registration with the BCCSW is required for social worker jobs in BC’s health authorities and Providence Health Care. However, social workers may be exempt from registration with BCCSW when employed by other organizations in BC such as First Nations.
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  • Hospitals  
  • Mental health and addiction clinics   
  • Primary care networks 
  • Home care agencies   
  • Community health
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British Columbia’s publicly funded health authorities offer comprehensive compensation packages for regular-status employees, including employer-paid benefits:

  • Wages: $42.27 – $52.81 CAD per hour (as of April 1, 2024) plus applicable shift premiums 
  • Paid Vacation Time: 4 weeks per year, after first year of employment 
  • Pension Plan 
  • BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) 
  • Extended Health Care 
  • Dental Coverage 
  • Life Insurance 
  • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability 
  • Employee and Family Assistance Plan 
  • Other Benefits: such as maternity, paternity and adoption leaves 
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The British Columbia College of Social Workers houses information for internationally educated social workers, please see the following resources on their website: 

  • Applicants with a degree from the USA
  • Applicants with a degree from outside of Canada or the USA
  • Applicants without a social work degree from an academic program approved by the board
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B.C. news for social workers

Province supports allied health workforce, improves patient care

The Province continues to put people first by launching the new Allied Health Strategic Plan (AHSP), which focuses on recruitment, retention, training and redesigning of the allied health workforce, to ensure people have access to the health-care providers they need.

Learn more about allied health workforce improveing patient care

Social work oversight engagement report released

A social work oversight engagement report provides an understanding of the diverse range of needs, perspectives and opinions surrounding social work oversight gathered during an extensive public consultation.

Learn more about the release of the social work oversight engagement report