Recognizing Social Work Month 2026
Since 1963, Social Work Month has been celebrated in March across Canada. The 2026 theme is “Social Work: Uplift. Defend. Transform.”
The Province of Ontario has the largest number of social workers in the country. Ontario also recognizes the profession this month. Across Ontario, the Ontario Association of Social Workers’ theme is “Care, Insight, Together – when care and insight come together, change happens”. This year’s theme signifies interconnected strengths of the profession including empathy, expertise, and partnership; and emphasizes the humanity social workers bring to every community.
The Child Welfare Immigration Centre of Excellence (CWICE) is proud to join in the celebration of Social Work Month. This year, we recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of the many social workers across our teams whose expertise, advocacy, and compassion strengthen our work every day. To mark the occasion, we connected with two team members to share their reflections on this year’s themes and what it means to practice social work in 2026.
Abimbola Fajobi, RSW
I am a Registered Social Worker and hold a Master of Social Work degree and a Master of Art in Globalization Studies. In CWICE, I co-lead the Citizenship Project which aims to support clients navigating Canadian Citizenship, with a focus on supporting those who are criminalized and face barriers to citizenship.
In my role as Child Welfare Immigration Specialist, I often navigate complex immigration systems—sometimes on behalf of children who may not yet understand the long-term implications of their immigration status. Through this work, I’ve witnessed the profound impact that a lack of permanent immigration status has on families, particularly in limiting their access to essential community services. When permanency is finally secured though, I’ve seen a visible and emotional shift—the burden they have carried for so long begins to lift.
As a Social Worker, I see how meaningful and collaborative efforts can lead to real and lasting change within the sector. Through CWICE, I have been entrusted with supporting child protection workers province-wide, while they navigated immigration and citizenship for children who come into foster care. To ensure progress, this requires persistent advocacy across multiple systems. Today, families can be reassured that when a child receives child welfare services or enters out-of-home care, their immigration status will be reviewed and addressed as part of their permanency planning prior to exiting care.
Ultimately, I believe that the greatest strength of the CWICE team lies in its unwavering advocacy and refusal to give up on the children, youth, and families we serve. They remain resourceful, often working with limited identification documents to advance permanency. Sometimes the work spans years, requiring sustained commitment and tireless effort—but they persist, because securing stability and belonging for these young people is not optional; it is essential. Even once permanent residency status is achieved, it still requires proficient systems navigation to ensure citizenship can also be successfully finalized.
Thomas Abraham, RSW
When we celebrate Social Work Month I would like to reflect on the child’s voice and best interest of the child. Article 12 of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that we “shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child” (United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child 12:1, Convention on the Rights of the Child | OHCHR).
While working as a Child Welfare Immigration Specialist, I have come across situations where I felt that we don’t understand this core principle of child participation in decisions impacting them. In one instance, while I was supporting an unaccompanied and separated child, the child protection worker informed me that they talked to the child’s relative regarding an important decision. Though the child was present, he did not object the uncle’s decision. I wondered, ‘Is silence an agreement?’ Or, is silence a sign of vulnerability rather than agreement. Unless and until we build trust and relationships, and spend time to understand the child’s wishes, we may not be helping them to fully participate. I see our role as helping children/youth to make an informed decisions, particularly in matters affecting their ability to achieve their full potential.
In our work, family is considered the best place for the children because it often offers protection, love, care and a strong sense of belonging. But when caregivers fail to provide protection and care, and child welfare is involved in the role of parens patriae, it is our mandate to support these children. If child welfare professionals see silence as sign of agreement, they may be failed again and by a system.
As an Immigration Specialist, I have had many opportunities to work with professionals who uplift the voice of the children, youth, and families. Working in this way, with professionals in the system at various levels, gives me an opportunity to work collaboratively to defend the rights and voice of children.
In closing, this year’s national and provincial Social Work Month themes affirm the profound impact of the profession—highlighting how care, insight, advocacy, and collaboration uplift individuals, defend rights, and transform communities. It further recognizes the leadership that social workers bring to complex systems every day. In child welfare practice, this commitment is especially meaningful, as social workers in CWICE create opportunities for lasting and positive changes in the lives of children, youth, and their families.
Related Links:
Social Work Week & Month | OASW
About the Author:
Danielle Ungara (she/her) is a Registered Social Worker and a dedicated leader known for her creativity, and commitment to excellence and equity in practice. As CWICE Manager, Danielle has brought innovative thinking and strategic leadership to the Centre of Excellence since its inception.
