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About HSCPOA

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About HSCPOA

Who We Are and What We Do

The Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA) is an independent oversight body accountable to the Ontario government under the Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority Act, 2021.

HSCPOA was created by the Government of Ontario to support public protection.

We do this by registering and holding Personal Support Workers (PSWs) who choose to register, accountable for safe, quality, ethical care provided to Ontario residents in their homes, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or other environments where care is provided. We do this by:

Badge with a person and check mark on a blue circle

Maintaining an online Public Register with easy-to-find information about all registered PSWs in Ontario.

Graduation cap on an orange circle

Establishing consistency in education, training and competency requirements.

Holding registrants accountable to a Code of Ethics.

3 people with a check mark in a purple circle

Protecting the public by addressing complaints, providing dispute resolution, and overseeing disciplinary procedures.

HSCPOA PSW Registrant copyrighted visual mark

Authorizing qualified PSWs to use the Visual Mark to show they are registered with HSCPOA.

clapsed hands on a red circle

Enhancing public trust in registered PSWs and respect for the work they do.

Health and Supportive Care Providers Authority (HSCPOA)

Quality care is the cornerstone of our healthcare system and PSWs play a critical role. As part of efforts to hire, support and retain the people who provide vital services, the Government of Ontario has created HSCPOA, which offers significant benefits to PSWs, their employers, and the people who count on their care.

By enacting this legislation, the provincial government created a new model of legislated oversight/regulation for Ontario’s health and supportive care providers beginning with personal support workers (“PSWs”). The Minister of Health may approve other care provider groups to be regulated under this oversight framework in the future.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and initial funding is provided by the Ontario government.

Oversight Body vs. Association – What’s the difference?

An oversight body, such as the Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA) is focused on public protection, while an association such as the Ontario Personal Support Worker Association, (OPSWA) is focused on the interests of its members. The two act as system partners to deliver effective health care in Ontario.

Learn more about the differences between an Oversight Body vs. Association