Updates to Regulations and Bylaws
Protecting the public is our primary goal as we regulate and promote the values of social work.
As a hybrid, the strategies and tactics available to us are intersectional and provide broad tools to protect the public and include a focus on prevention, education, and advocacy.
The Social Workers Act grants us the privilege of self-regulation.
We maintain and regulate standards of professional practice to ensure Nova Scotians receive the services of skilled and competent professionals who are knowledgeable, ethical, qualified, and accountable to the people who receive these services;
This process ensures that we reflect and evaluate the strengths and gaps in areas of our regulatory practice.
Recently, it was discovered that we did not have sound practices to reinstate members who had left the profession for a number of years.
This left the Board of Examiners in a void. They were unable to determine if a person had continued to develop their skills through professional development opportunities.
To maintain confidence in our ability to self-regulate, we researched the standard across social work regulatory jurisdictions and conducted literature reviews. We presented our recommendations to you, our members, for change at the 2017 Annual General Meeting.
On Monday June 20, 2017 our Council passed the following regulations.
Reinstatement of Registration
Within a year
- (1) A person who has been refused registration for non-payment of fees or failure to submit the required renewal forms may, up to the end of the calendar year in which the fees were due, apply for reinstatement. The person shall pay a reinstatement application fee as referred to in Schedule 1 of the By-Laws, and the fee for the full registration year.
The person shall submit the completed registration renewal forms, including proof of having completed the professional development requirements.
When the person who has been refused registration has paid the required fees and submitted the completed registration renewal forms, the Executive Director/Registrar may reinstate the person.
Within two years
- (1) A person who has been refused registration for non-payment of fees or failure to submit the required renewal forms may or has resigned from the College before the end of two calendar years may apply for reinstatement. The person shall pay a reinstatement application fee as referred to in Schedule 1 of the By-Laws, and the fee for the full registration year. \The person shall submit
- The completed registration renewal forms,
- Demonstrate that their skills have been maintained; evidenced by professional development activities.
- An updated Criminal Record Check.
- An updated Child Abuse Registry Check.
Except if that person has continually practiced social work in another province under registration issued by the authority of such province,
The person shall submit:
- Complete registration renewal forms;
- A letter of good standing from that province;
- Pay application fee as referred to in Schedule 1 of the By-Laws, and the fee; for the full or pro-rated registration fee.
When the person who has been refused registration, or has resigned from the College has paid the required fees and submitted the completed registration renewal forms, the Executive Director/ Registrar may reinstate the person.
After two years
- (1) A person who has been refused registration for non-payment of fees or failure to submit the required renewal forms or who has resigned from the College after two calendar years must Re-apply as an initial applicant for registration and complete one year of Candidacy;
(2) Except if that a person has continually practiced social work in another province issued by the authority of such province,
(3) This person shall submit:
- A Complete registration renewal forms;
- A letter of good standing from that province.
- Pay application fee as referred to in Schedule 1 of the By-Laws, and the fee for the full or pro-rated registration fee.
(4) When the person who has been refused registration, or has resigned from the College has paid the required fees and submitted the completed registration renewal forms, the Executive Director/ Registrar may reinstate the person
Questions or comments? Contact Alec Stratford at alec.stratford@nscsw.org.