Professional Regulation in Child Welfare: A Collaborative Inquiry into Public Safety, Service Outcomes, and Government Implementation

Abstract

In British Columbia, not every professional who uses the title “social worker” is mandated to register with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW), an independent body that regulates and oversees the practice of social work in the province (Representative for Children and Youth, 2025). While social workers at the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) have the option to register with the BCCSW if they meet the eligibility criteria, registration is currently voluntary and not required for employment. In February 2025, the Representative for Children and Youth released a report titled No Time to Wait: A Review of MCFD’s Child Welfare Workforce Part 2, which recommended that all MCFD child welfare workers (CWWs) be registered with an independent oversight body. This study aimed to develop a clearer understanding of why professional regulation of CWWs has been implemented across Canadian jurisdictions and explored the Metro Vancouver general public’s perceptions of professional regulation and child safety. The study consisted of two components: (1) a descriptive component involving two semi-structured interviews with representatives from a Canadian jurisdiction where CWW regulation is mandatory, (2) an exploratory component involving 14 semi-structured interviews with members of the Metro Vancouver general public. Two participants from Newfoundland and Labrador provided valuable, in-depth insights into their jurisdictional and organizational context, and these findings are presented as a case study, with opportunities for broader cross-jurisdictional analysis in future research. From the general public interviews, four themes were identified: (1) Regulation as a Mechanism for Accountability to Instill Public Trust, (2) Constructing Public Confidence Through Professional Identity, (3) Tensions Between Professional Standards and Workforce Recruitment and Retention, (4) The Role of Social, Cultural, and Political Contexts in Shaping Perceptions of the Child Welfare System. The findings from the general public indicated low awareness of both MCFD and professional regulation. However, participants were able to meaningfully engage with regulatory concepts when provided context, with perceptions largely aligning with key regulatory objectives, including accountability, oversight, and child safety. Regulation was generally associated with increased trust and credibility, alongside concerns related to workforce capacity, equity, and systemic barriers. These findings are notable given the limited research on public perceptions of regulation and demonstrate how centring public voices helps address this gap by highlighting the value participants place on having opportunities to contribute to systems that impact their lives. Future research and considerations could focus on strengthening cross-jurisdictional collaboration, increasing the diversity and size of public samples, and implementing structured and mandatory continuing competency requirements for MCFD employees. This study shows that the value of regulation depends on how it contributes to child safety, through supporting the workforce and strengthening trust in the system.