Developing structured support A message from the Chair of the Board of Examiners
We have continued to strive to bring transparent and objectively fair processes for registration and believe that these are essential to ensure the integrity of a profession.
The Board of Examiners has been exceptionally busy this past year, with a surge of applications for private practice and the introduction of new tele-practice procedures. Despite this mounting workload, the Board is thrilled to announce that our College has achieved an impressive 85% compliance rate with the Candidacy Mentorship Program requirements. Our diligent staff and dedicated Board members have remained committed to upholding the standards of good regulation, as outlined by the Nova Scotia Regulated Health Professions Network. As experts in our field, we take pride in delivering services ensuring that applicants and professionals alike have a thorough understanding of the requirements and expectations of our profession. The Board of Examiners is dedicated to recruiting new members who represent a diverse cross-section of social work practice.
BY JACK LANDREVILLE, BOARD OF EXAMINERS CHAIR
Intersectional identities are at the forefront of our priorities, and we strive to ensure that members from a variety of cultural backgrounds and geographical regions are represented. Our goal is to make certain that all sectors of social work are reflected, including child welfare, mental health, medical social work, community sector, and private practice. This helps ensure that social work expertise is always available when decisions that impact public safety need to be made. We believe that our board represents the best of social work practice, and we are honoured to serve the public interest. Electronic social work practice has become increasingly popular this year, especially in times where access to mental health care is hard to achieve. However, it’s important to note that these practices are regulated by the Social Workers Act and Regulations in Nova Scotia. Social workers from other parts of Canada who wish to engage in electronic social work practice with clients in Nova Scotia can now apply to NSCSW with a simple verification process and a reduced fee. This ensures that clients in Nova Scotia receive safe, ethical, and high-quality services from professionals who meet the standards set by the province. As social work continues to evolve, it’s important to keep in mind the regulations and guidelines that protect both clients and practitioners. Three years ago, the NSCSW found itself in a difficult position with our candidacy standards. Compliance was under 50%, indicating a need for improvement. However, since then, we have made significant strides and are proud to say that we have achieved an impressive 85% compliance rate. This turnaround did not