The College develops practice support guidelines and tools to assist members and employers in interpreting and applying the College’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics in specific areas. These resources contain information and practice advice which members of the College should consider when navigating complex issues.
The professional standards and ethics committee is continuing to develop additional guidelines for our members. To participate in these efforts, or to suggest an area of practice in which social workers in Nova Scotia might benefit from such guidance, please contact Tyler Colbourne at [email protected].
Guidelines
Clinical practice
These guidelines were specifically designed to serve as a resource for clinical specialists, to support the achievement of professional standards. Furthermore, this document is intended to inform the public about the expectations they should have when interacting with a clinical specialist providing these services. Clinical specialists are required to follow these guidelines, which complement the broader Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Social work documentation
This resource was developed to inform social workers, employers and the public on best practice standards for social work documentation, highlight awareness of the practice considerations and ethical responsibilities in social work documentation, and support social workers in their documentation practices.
Medical Assistance in Dying
This resource was developed to offer guidance to social workers when working with persons who request medical assistance in dying (MAiD). It has been updated to reflect the federal legislative changes that came into effect on March 17, 2021.
Other resources
Social Policy Framework
The framework was developed collaboratively by NSCSW and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – Nova Scotia. Social workers know that significant change needs to happen in order to address or remedy the injustices and harms we see daily. The Social Policy Framework is designed to be at the root of this change; it creates a road map for arriving at a fair and just Nova Scotia.
Learn more about this framework
Ethical decision-making tool
This resource includes interactive options to guide Nova Scotia Registered Social Workers through the CASW Code of Ethics and the NSCSW Standards of Practice (2015) when considering ethical dilemmas.
Sign up for Connection
CONNECTION is the official newsletter of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers.