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This session discusses the process of developing competencies and standards for social workers in a Canadian province. In Canada, registration is a provincial responsibility and all provinces, except one, register only graduates of 4 year programs. However, one province registers, as social workers, graduates of both 2 year (diploma)and 4 year (university) programs . A process exists to approve university programs (Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work). However, there is no comparable process for the 2 year programs. This project focused on the development of competencies and standards to be met by the 2 year programs.

A consultative process, work with an advisory committee, and discussions with stakeholder groups evoked a good deal of discussion, and, in some cases, resistance. The session will discuss resistance to change; and the issue of competencies, standards and accreditation for applied programs requiring registration.

Educational programs have a good deal of control and latitude in their program development and delivery. Faced with meeting specific competencies, professional schools sometimes have difficulty in relinquishing control to registration and licensure bodies. Professional accrediting bodies require specific requirements be met by educational programs. Herein lies the contention between forces: professionalization, academic autonomy, and licensing standards.

The session will outline the process used to develop a competency and standards document; the challenges and issues raised; and the final outcomes of the process. The lessons from this process include: strategically dealing with resistance, working with supportive stakeholder groups, and managing the tension between professional and educational groups.

This session will be of interest to administrators, faculty and professional sector groups that have worked with competencies and standards.

Stream: Change, Leadership, Decision Making

Paper: Managing Change

Dr. Adrienne Chan has worked extensively with universities, colleges, institutes, school districts and crown corporations in the areas of anti-racism, diversity, multiculturalism, gender, planning and organizational change. Her particular emphasis is on institutional culture,institutional change, and organizational development as the means for creating more inclusive and diverse organizations. Research emphasis includes feminist narartive methods, policy analysis, institutional culture, academic culture, diversity and institutional change. Recent publications include:
Chan, Adrienne S. (2005) Policy discourses and changing practice: Diversity and the university college. Higher Education.