Looking for support? Know the difference between a social worker and social service worker

TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2026 /CNW/ — If you’re looking for mental health or social support in Ontario, you may come across both social workers and social service workers. But what’s the difference between these two professions, and how do you know which professional can best meet your needs? While social work and social service work are distinct professions with unique roles, both are regulated by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and can help support Ontarians with ethical, accountable and community centred care.

Understanding what these professionals do can help you make informed decisions when seeking support.

What do social workers and social service workers have in common?

Both social workers and social service workers play an important role in supporting the wellbeing of Ontarians.  In Ontario, registered social workers and social service workers must both:

• Meet specific entry-to-practice qualifications before they can register.
• Follow the OCSWSSW’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, which governs how they work with clients.
• Participate in ongoing professional learning requirements to maintain their registration.

How are the professions different?

Education

In Ontario, social workers typically complete a university degree in social work, while social service workers typically complete a two-year college diploma in social service work.

Scope of practice 

Social workers assess, diagnose, treat and evaluate individual, interpersonal and societal challenges. Social service workers help clients address personal and social challenges through counselling, community services and social support programs.

What does “diagnosis” mean?

It’s important to note that in this context, “diagnosis” means a social work diagnosis, or a biopsychosocial assessment. This type of diagnosis identifies the underlying causes of a client’s situation and offers an in-depth assessment and analysis, as well as supports the development of a treatment or intervention plan. Social workers in Ontario cannot provide mental health diagnoses.

Teaching and supervision

Social workers can teach courses and supervise students in practicum settings of both social work and social service work programs, while social service workers can teach and supervise social service work courses and students only.

Places of employment

Social workers provide services in a variety of workplace settings, including hospitals, community centres, schools, social service agencies and in their own private practice. Social service workers tend to be employed in settings such as group homes, shelters, addiction services, income maintenance and youth programs.

While their roles may differ, social workers and social service workers have complementary skillsets and often work together collaboratively in the workplace.

“Social workers and social service workers bring different education, skills and scopes of practice to their work, but they share an important perspective: they look at the whole person,” says Denitha Breau, OCSWSSW Registrar and CEO. “They are unique among mental health practitioners, because they consider not only the challenges someone is experiencing, but also the family, community and social conditions that can affect their wellbeing.”

More information on the differences and commonalities between social workers and social service workers can be found on the OCSWSSW website.

Can both social workers and social service workers provide psychotherapy?

Yes. With specialized training, both social workers and social service workers are allowed to provide psychotherapy.

“We regulate the largest group of mental health practitioners in the province,” says Breau. “When Ontarians seek psychotherapy, they should be able to feel confident that their practitioner is competent, ethical and accountable. Providing psychotherapy requires significant knowledge, skill and experience, and the OCSWSSW provides guidance to help registrants assess their competence and readiness to practise safely.”

Before choosing a practitioner, check the Online Register

Before working with a social worker or social service worker, Ontarians can search the OCSWSSW Online Register to confirm that their practitioner is registered. This searchable tool provides current information about a registrant’s status and helps the public know that the professional they choose is accountable to the OCSWSSW’s ethical and professional standards.

What else should I know?

If you have healthcare insurance coverage through your employer or privately, a portion of social work or social service work services may be covered.

• Check with your provider and coverage plan to see if your sessions may be eligible for coverage.

Additionally, both social workers and social service workers are recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency as authorized medical practitioners for the purpose of the medical expense tax credit.

• This means that you may be eligible to submit a portion of the costs of sessions with a social worker or social service worker on your taxes. 

All Ontarians deserve support on their journey to better mental wellbeing. Be sure that you’re reaching out to a mental health professional who is not only supportive, but also qualified, ethical and accountable. Check that your social worker or social service worker is registered and accountable to the OCSWSSW. Learn more: OCSWSSW.org.

About the OCSWSSW

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, which is accountable to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, is the regulatory body for social workers and social service workers in Ontario. Although the OCSWSSW has the word ‘College’ in its name, it is not a school. The OCSWSSW’s role is to make sure that the public is supported by professional, ethical, qualified and accountable practitioners. Only people registered with the OCSWSSW can call themselves a “social worker” or “social service worker.” The OCSWSSW currently regulates over 34,000 social workers and social service workers across Ontario.

SOURCE Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers