Building Stronger Communities: The Impact of Social Workers
March 5, 2025
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Across Ontario’s health system, social workers play a critical role in improving the health and well-being of individuals, families, workplaces and communities. Social workers use their unique expertise to provide essential services, identify gaps in care, advocate for solutions and build meaningful connections.
As we celebrate National Social Work Month across Canada this March and Social Work Week in Ontario from March 3-9, 2025, this is an opportunity to recognize the immense contribution of the social work profession across care sectors, particularly in home care, and the dedication of our own team members at VHA Home HealthCare (VHA).
What are Registered Social Workers?
Registered social workers (RSWs) are regulated health professionals committed to improving the lives of their clients—individuals, families, groups and communities—both individually and collectively. They advocate for social justice and human rights, always prioritizing their clients’ best interests. Social workers provide a wide range of services, including but not limited to :
- Individual, family and couple assessment and counselling
- Psychotherapy
- Adoption planning
- Grief, loss and trauma counselling
- Addictions counselling
- Mediation
- Custody assessments
- Advocacy for social justice, human rights and fair access to resources
- Assistance navigating complex health and social systems and life events such as chronic and life-limiting illness
- Referrals to community services
Social Workers are employed in various settings, including hospitals, schools, community agencies, clinics, correctional facilities, workplaces and private practices. In addition to direct client care, social workers also engage in teaching, research, policy analysis, advocacy and community capacity building.
What is the Role of Social Workers in Home Care?
Social workers are essential members of the home care team offering compassionate support to clients as they navigate life’s challenges. They help people make informed choices, advocate for their needs and find solutions that promote independence, confidence and resilience. Home care social workers offer:
- Psychosocial assessments of clients and their families to determine their needs and goals
- Crisis intervention
- Short-term supportive counselling
- End-of-life and bereavement support
- Education and connection to community resources
- Advocacy and navigation of complex health and social service systems
“My VHA social worker gave me so much information and encouragement. She always found ways to make my situation and my day better. Her sincerity, kindness and knowledge helped me get the best possible results. Of all the healthcare workers in my life, she’s right there at #1.” -VHA Client
“I was facing multiple challenges and my VHA social worker helped me navigate each one with empathy, support and expertise. She guided me through the system to apply for government benefits and community programs I never knew existed. I now receive disability tax credits, have lower utility bills, no longer pay out-of-pocket for prescription medications and get support from the local food bank. I’m incredibly grateful to have a social worker by my side during these struggles. I truly don’t know what I would have done without her.” – VHA Client
Meet April Collins, Registered Social Worker & Clinical Lead at VHA
VHA Social Worker and Clinical Lead, April Collins
April Collins, a registered social worker for over 35 years and now the clinical lead for GTA teams at VHA, shares how her work has shaped both her perspective and practice.
“Being a social worker has given me the opportunity to listen to my client’s stories, step into their shoes and understand their unique experiences and needs from their perspective,” April says. “It’s a privilege to do this work and nothing is more rewarding than helping clients achieve their goals.”
April emphasizes that social work is deeply rooted in compassion and connection. “It’s about fostering equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. It’s about breaking down barriers, and often, it’s about holding hope for people when they’ve lost hope,” she explains.
Reflecting on her role, April adds, “The significance of our work is truly immeasurable. I feel grateful to be a part of a profession and an organization that makes such a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we serve.”
How Can I Access Social Work Services at VHA?
At VHA Home HealthCare, social work services at home, work or school are available in the Greater Toronto Area and in Ottawa’s Champlain Rehab Solutions branch. Reach out to your local VHA or Champlain Rehab Solutions office if you are interested in receiving support for you or a loved one.
Clients who are already receiving care from may also purchase additional hours through VHA’s Purchased Services. Additional hours are not covered by Ontario Health atHome but can be used as a supplementary “top up” of regular, ongoing care. You may also have coverage through extended health benefits.
VHA’s Enterprise Health Solutions team can help you get the care you need. To purchase services or find out more, call 416-489-2500 ext. 4649 or email ehs@vha.ca.
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