Count Us In: Development and Insights From Ontario’s Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative in Social Work and Social Service Work Regulation

Abstract

This article describes the development, implementation and first-year findings of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers’ Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative. This data project was developed to help identify and monitor systemic racism and discrimination within the professions of social work and social service work in Ontario. This initiative was based on the fundamental principle that only what is measured can be effectively understood and improved. College registrants were invited to share their demographic information on a voluntary basis. Data collection launched in the 2024 registration renewal period, with 66.5% response rate in its first year. This is an ongoing large-scale change management initiative, requiring strategic engagements with registrants, clients, government, staff, and other key engagement groups. This workforce project is an innovative example of how demographic data collection can advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism efforts in provincial regulation, including healthcare.