Some social workers hope Phoenix inquiry will improve profession

Some Manitoba social workers are hoping the Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry will help improve the standards of practice of the profession in the province.

The inquiry is highlighting a number of issues in areas such as training and education, said Mariam Browne, executive director and registrar of the Manitoba Institute of Registered Social Workers.

Browne said the problems arising are based around the way some social workers have taken notes and kept records in the Phoenix Sinclair case.

"It's just standard practice," said Browne. "It's in our code of ethics, it's in our guidelines of ethical practice."

But those standards only apply to registered social workers. In Manitoba,however, the law doesn't require social workers to be registered.

Which means almost anyone can call themselves a social worker.

The province passed legislation more than three years ago to control who can call themselves a social worker, but that law is not in force yet.

"We still are operating under the Manitoba Institute of Registered Social Workers Act, which is from 1966," said Browne.

She will be testifying at the inquiry in December and plans to talk about how to bring the profession up to date, she said.

Phoenix Sinclair's father is also scheduled to testify this week at the inquiry.