Co-navigating Change and Uncertainty with Our Communities
Take a moment. Take a breath, and feel your feet underneath you. Feel the breath flowing in and out of your body, and ground yourself through the radiating of love, compassion and empathy that still exists and is all around us during one the darkest periods in Nova Scotia history. That love, compassion and empathy that surrounds us is being generated each and every day through you. It is brought to life in the ways that social workers support vulnerable Nova Scotians who went into this pandemic facing economic, health and social inequities, and it is deeply meaningful to all Nova Scotians who are grieving the senseless violence that occurred on April 18 and 19. What social workers do matters, and it makes a difference. Upon reflection of the year behind us, all social workers should feel incredibly proud of their contributions and the impact they have had on Nova Scotia. As a profession, we are growing. In 2016 we had 1824 members, and this year we have 2154; that is an 18 per cent increase over four years. We are the third largest regulated health profession in Nova Scotia. This growth can be attributed to the empathy, skills and integrity that social workers bring to their work each day. It can also be attributed to the complex needs of Nova Scotians as we increasingly become a more unequal society, which has continued to compound the complex social inequities that exist. The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers worked hard and diligently throughout 2019 to lead and support the profession. Throughout this issue of Connection, you will read about the work of our 6 dedicated staff and our close to 100 volunteers who have continued to achieve the College’s mandate and action our 5-year strategic plan.
Alec Stratford, MSW, RSW Registrar/Executive Director
You will read about our goals to regulate the profession by ensuring the highest standards of professional and ethical social work practice for the people of Nova Scotia. This will include highlights of our professional conduct program and the steps we’ve taken to enhance the integrity of decisions being made by the Complaints Committee ensuring duty to fairness, working to ensure that participatory rights are upheld, and that decisions made are grounded in sound reasons. You will read about how we have brought to life a new and improved Candidacy Mentorship Program that has streamlined the process through a digital database for much more effective administration, and the launch of the mentor training to help build the capacity of our mentors. Finally, you will read about the work of the Private Practice Committee and their work to strengthen clinical social work practice. Social workers are strong advocates, and the College continues to be a recognized leader in advocacy and social justice working to protect Nova Scotians. 2019 saw us continue to work with our community partners to bring a strong and active progressive voice into the public discourse.
6 Connection | Fall 2019
