About Us
The OASBSWL is a professional organization created to provide a forum for supervisors of school social work services to:
- Collaborate and share a common understanding of best practices related to the delivery of quality school social work services and management of staff in school boards across Ontario.
- Advocate for programs and services for students in Ontario school boards that provide opportunities for success.
- Promote the role and advancement of Social Work Services and school social work to Ontario school boards, government, and the public
- Facilitate linkage to other professional groups and associations.
Support the role of Social Leads/Managers across Ontario School Boards
Our Purpose
Through professional expertise and knowledge, the role and responsibility of OASBSWL is to:
- Support the development of the profession of social work and high-quality social work services in schools, rooted in intersectionality, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices that nurture inclusive and accountable spaces and cultural humility.
- Improve early identification and intervention by developing pathways for treatment.
- Improve access to community and crisis services.
- Serve as an information and educational resource about social work service in schools.
- Establish linkages and engage in advocacy with other professional groups, organizations, and associations relevant to social work services in schools.
- Engage and collaborate with the Ministry of Education and School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO-SMSO) on the advancement of social work services in school boards and its important role in the provincial mental health and addiction system of care and better outcomes for students.
- Create a forum for professional leadership exchange and provide professional development opportunities for members, in support of advancing the role of school social work.
- Make decisions that are informed by available data and best evidence and driven by the needs of students, families, schools, and communities.
