SUPPORTING NEW AND RETURNING SOCIAL WORKERS BY VALERIE SHAPIRO, MSW, RSW, REGULATORY AND CANDIDACY MANAGER
DEVELOPING THE CMP The NSCSW Candidacy Mentorship Program (CMP) is required for all newly registered social workers. Candidacy is designed to decrease professional stress and provide each candidate with nurturing conditions that complement their success, encourage self-efficacy, and support the development of their professional identity. In 2019 the candidacy program was revamped and relaunched by the NSCSW Candidacy Committee. This initiative meant that while new Social Worker Candidates (SWC) would be required to complete the new CMP, some SWCs already engaged in candidacy continued on in the old program. As a result, the NSCSW has been administering both programs with an aim to completely close out the old candidacy program when all the remaining candidates have completed and been granted their RSW registration designation. There are currently 438 registered SWCs; 395 are completing CMP and there are 43 finishing in the old candidacy program.
PLANNING EVALUATION With the launch of the new CMP, the NSCSW also made a commitment to monitor and evaluate the program. The College aims to track and assess that the goals and objectives of the program are being met. A full program evaluation will take place in 2021, and will identify: 1. The problems the CMP is meant to address ⢠The ability of social workers to uphold ethical practices. There is a complex tension between social work values, ethics and standards and the demands and structures of the workplace. ⢠The erosion or confusion of the professional social work identity. There is a pull towards the professionâs principles and values which are embedded in social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people; however, social workers are often pulled towards a maintenance of the status quo by asserting social control.
⢠Stress and burnout through vicarious trauma. Social workers face high caseloads, strict deadlines, public scrutiny, lack of resources, and an inability to influence decisions or alter undesirable situations. 2. Steps being taken to address these problems The CMP is designed to counter and resist the negative effects of professional stress by supporting candidates: ⢠Supporting the development of a professional identity ⢠Encouraging discussion ethical issues ⢠Exploring professional concerns related to their practice experiences ⢠Integrating theory and practice while gaining workplace experience ⢠Combatting the impact of burnout and compassion fatigue by supporting the development of selfawareness, and restorative practices
Spring 2021 | Connection 11
