Join us to celebrate!

Social Work Week celebrates the accomplishments of social workers. Social workers throughout BC plan activities in March that highlight their essential contribution to the health and well-being of British Columbians.

Social Work Week in BC is March 9-15, 2025. Our theme this year is Social Workers Make a Difference Everywhere!

Ask any two social workers about their job and you won’t get the same answer. The roles we carry are vast, in different areas of care, with different demographics, different organizations and different political environments. 

Week 1
March 3, 6:30pm - Beyond City Limits: Social Work in Rural & Remote Communities
March 4, 6:30pm - Launching Your Social Work Career
March 5, 6:30pm - The Journey into Private Practice Social Work
March 6, 6:30pm - Exploring Specialized Social Work Careers

Week 2
March 10, 6:30pm - Involuntary Care in British Columbia
March 11, noon - MCFD Minister Jodie Wickens Celebrates Social Work Week
March 11, 6:30pm - Social Work Practice & Allyship in Indigenous Communities
March 12, 6:30pm - Examining Social Work Regulation: Public Accountability and Professional Identity
March 13, 6:30pm - Reimagining Child Welfare: Prevention and Well-Being Approaches

A variety of posters and promotional items are available for purchase to celebrate social work and promote the profession. View them in the Publication and Resources section of our website.

Awarded to Outstanding Social Workers

CASW DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD (BC)

The Canadian Association of Social Workers honours a member of partner provincial associations with the CASW Distinguished Service Award during National Social Work Month. View the selection criteria for the BC CASW Distinguished Service Award. The BC CASW Distinguished Service Award 2024 was presented to Gary Thandi and Karen Lok Yi Wong.

Please send your nomination for the 2025 BC CASW Distinguished Service Award, outlining how your nominee meets the selection criterion, to bcasw@bcasw.org. Nominations close January 17.

INSPIRING SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award is co-sponsored by BCASW and the UBC School of Social Work to recognize BC social workers whose compassion and dedication to serving has inspired others. Recipients share their experiences at the Paul Cheng Memorial Lecture held early in September at the UBC School of Social Work. More information here.

Elder Dr. Richard Vedan, 2024 recipient

Tara Ross, 2023 recipient 

Memorial Lecture

Kathleen Cashin & Laura Honey, 2022 recipients

THE BC ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2022

 On behalf of the members of the BC Association of Social Workers, Executive Director Dianne Heath presented Elizabeth Jones with the BC Association of Social Workers first Lifetime Achievement Award on October 28, 2022. The words "In honour of Elizabeth Jones, a leader who translated vision into reality" are inscribed on a green heart, symbolizing life and caring.

THE JANUSZ KORCZAK ASSOCIATION OF CANADA AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN

This award is co-sponsored by BCASW and the Janusz Korczak Association of Canada and will be given to a social worker in recognition of their contribution to improving children’s lives and well-being in ways that reflect the philosophy of Dr. Janusz Korczak. Nominations close March 31.

Dr. Korczak was one of the moral heroes of the 20th century and a pioneer in child advocacy. His orphanage in the Warsaw Ghetto offered a democratic society for children and youth, with its own parliament and court, and newspaper where children could freely express their views. Although the Children’s Republic that he nurtured at his orphanage perished with him and his children at the hands of the Nazis in 1942, his philosophy and practice have an important role to play in confronting the challenges faced today.

Read more

To Nominate

Nominations may be submitted by any person with knowledge of the nominee's social work practice and will specify the aspects of Dr. Janusz Korczak's philosophy that relate to the nominee's practice of social work. The nominee's practice must demonstrate respect for the child, foster skills that lead to healthy independence, promote self-determination, promote and protect human rights, and engage in collaborative practice with the child.  

Recipients:

Arnold Martinez, 2023

Ferne Strain, 2022

BRIDGET MORAN AWARD

This award is granted by the Northern Branch of BCASW. The Bridget Moran Advancement of Social Work in Northern Communities award honours one individual who has contributed to the advancement of social work ideals. Click here for the nomination form. For more information, please contact the BCASW Northern Branch.

The 2024 Bridget Moran Advancement of Social Work in Northern Communities: Dr. Jim Campbell

The 2023 Bridget Moran Advancement of Social Work in Northern Communities: Brent Goerz

HEART OF THE GRASSLANDS AWARD

Granted by the Thompson/Nicola Branch of BCASW, to a social worker who holds membership in BCASW, nominees are evaluated on their social work service to the community and the profession, and the award is given for distinguished service. The deadline to receive nominations is February. The ceremony takes place during Social Work Week. For more information, please contact the BCASW Thompson/Nicola Branch Representative.

Thompson/Nicola Branch was proud to present:

2024 award to Jo Berry  

2023 award to Nadine Ryan.

COPPER SHIELD AWARD

This award is granted by the Northwest Branch of BCASW. The ceremony takes place during Social Work Week. For more information, please contact the BCASW Northwest Branch Representative.

A STANDING OVATION

BCASW invites submissions to our newsmagazine, Perspectives, that highlight social workers who are exemplars of social work practice. Submissions should be 600 words or less and can be emailed to BCASW at any time.