As the previous Associate Registrar, I wanted to take a moment to share my reflections on this vital role and encourage African Nova Scotian social workers to consider applying for the position, or to share the current job listing with colleagues who might be interested.
The Associate Registrar role is a unique opportunity to uphold and advance the integrity of the social work profession in Nova Scotia. At its core, this position is about supporting fair, transparent, and equity-informed regulatory practices. It involves working collaboratively across the College to ensure that registration, renewal, clinical specialization, and social work education are accessible, accountable, and aligned with the College’s commitment to social justice. It’s also about navigating the balance between regulatory responsibility and policy, ensuring that our practices serve the public while educating and guiding social work members.
This role has the unique potential to address systemic barriers by embedding Africentricity into the fabric of regulation. Africentricity, as a collective responsibility, draws on ancestral knowledge and prioritizes community well-being. As a Black social worker, I recognize that regulatory bodies have historically upheld Eurocentric norms, creating distrust in Black communities and disadvantaging racialized professionals. However, the NSCSW is intentionally reimagining its work through its Reparations policy, EDI approach, education, and accountability measures.
The Associate Registrar can play a pivotal role in fostering a regulatory environment where Africentric practice is not only recognized but affirmed. While the role involves overseeing several projects and engagements, there is always an opportunity to collaborate with community partners and other social work members to create meaningful change.
I hope the successful candidate brings a courageous, equity-driven approach to regulation—someone who understands the complexities of implementing new ways of thinking and doing, and who is ready to thrive in a high-level policy and administrative environment.
Internally, I hope they will collaborate to build a regulatory culture grounded in anti-oppression and continuous learning. Externally, I hope their work helps bridge the gap between the College and the diverse communities we serve, particularly those who have been historically marginalized. Ultimately, their impact should reflect a commitment to building trust and ensuring that social workers can practice in ways that uphold safer practices, cultural identities, lived experiences, and professional expertise.
If you are interested in this role or would like to learn more, Alec Stratford, Executive Director and Registrar, is available to connect with you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to him for more information.
This is an incredible opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the profession and the communities we serve. I encourage you to consider applying and being part of this transformative work.