This session explores the professionalization of social work through a comparative lens of Canadian and U.S. perspectives. Barb Whitenect will discuss the evolution of the Canadian Code of Ethics (COE), its role in regulation, and how it serves as a tool to strengthen social work identity and retain professionals in the workforce. Dale Atkinson will examine how regulation supports professional accountability and drives the recognition of social work as a trusted profession. Attendees will engage in conversations on the shared values between countries, the importance of ethical practice, and strategies to enhance workforce retention through a unified professional voice.
Learning objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Analyze and compare the ethical codes guiding social work practice in the U.S. and Canada by identifying key differences and similarities and evaluating their impact on professional identity within the profession and as it relates to other healthcare and social care professions.
- Examine real-world applications to assess how social work regulatory bodies adopt, interpret and enforce ethical codes.