Value 2: Promoting Social Justice

Context for Practice: Social workers understand the structural social determinants of health and appreciate the ways in which educational, racial, socioeconomic, and other social intersecting inequities influence the well-being of all people. Social workers value the first voice perspectives of individuals from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, including those with intersectional identities, and understand the impact of intersectional bias and discrimination. Social workers acknowledge the history of the social work profession and the impact colonialism, segregation, internment, anti-Black racism, and oppression have had on people and communities in Nova Scotia. Social workers advocate for all people to receive fair and equitable access to services, benefits, and opportunities regardless of geographic location and, where possible, to receive services in the language of their choice. Social workers are committed to ending racism through social justice and advocacy.

Standards of Practice: Social workers shall uphold social justice principles by advocating for:

2.1.1 fair and equitable access to, and delivery of, public services and benefits for all people, particularly those most in need, including those with varying abilities;

2.1.2 equity of services required to meet the needs of Indigenous, African Nova Scotians and equity-deserving groups and communities;

2.1.3 the rights and freedoms of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities to express their gender identity;

2.1.4 the rights of all people to have meaningful participation and choice in decision-making in accordance with their abilities and taking into account their racial, ethnic, linguistic, spiritual, and cultural needs;

2.1.5 the equal status, rights, and privileges of Acadian French and Francophone communities, and English-speaking Nova Scotians in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms¹², the Official Languages Act¹³, and by upholding policies and legislation in Nova Scotia that protect language rights;

2.1.6 the right of Indigenous People to use their languages in accordance with the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Peoples Act¹⁴ and to receive services in their traditional language in accordance with the Mi’kmaw Language Act;¹⁵

2.1.7 the right of all people to access an independent, competent interpreter or translator to ensure cultural responsiveness whenever possible;

2.1.8 the ability to access and provide various communication methods to support individuals who are differently abled (e.g., American Sign Language, symbol and letter boards, speech generating devices, etc.).

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.¹⁶

Context for Practice: Social workers build their knowledge and understanding of systemic racism and discrimination and the impacts these have on the social, physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, gender and religious well-being of Mi’kmaq and Indigenous Peoples.

Standards of Practice: Social workers shall demonstrate respect for the rights of Mi’kmaq and Indigenous Peoples to be free from racism and discrimination by advocating for:

2.2.1 changes to organizational policies and practices to eliminate oppression, racism, and discrimination, alongside the adoption of policies that honour Mi’kmaq and Indigenous peoples’ rights to self-determination, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs;

2.2.2 broader systems change to policy, social programs, and legislation to end oppression, racism, and discrimination.

Context for Practice: Social workers build their knowledge and understanding of hate, systemic hate, inequities and anti-Black racism and the social, emotional, mental, spiritual, religious, gender and physical impacts on the well-being of African Nova Scotians and Persons of African Descent. Social workers apply an Africentric approach to understand, and respect African traditional cultures, communities, and support systems based on collective values, spirituality, beliefs, practice. Social workers strive to achieve equity in their practice and recognize how the impact of intersectionality is key to addressing systemic hate, inequity, and racism.

Standards of Practice: In alignment with the principles of reparations, social workers shall actively support and champion the rights of African Nova Scotians and Persons of African Descent by:

2.2.1 acknowledging the central role of community involvement, family values, spirituality, faith, and cultural traditions in the restoration, resilience, and healing from historical trauma;

2.2.2 committing to continuous learning and applying current trauma-informed practice knowledge specifically tailored to the experiences of African Nova Scotians and Persons of African Descent;

2.2.3 recognizing the importance of the development of meaningful and respectful relationships and fostering healing within individuals, families, groups, and communities that are African Nova Scotians and of African Descent;

2.2.4 dedicating themselves to understanding the customs, beliefs, traditions, and practices of communities of African Nova Scotians and African Descent thereby building cultural attentiveness and trust;

2.2.5 valuing the critical role of cultural advisors in social work practice by respecting and utilizing their knowledge, skills, and wisdom to strive for the safety and well-being of individuals and families;

2.2.6 recognizing and honouring the diversity within African historical settlement communities in Nova Scotia, understanding that each community may have distinct needs and contributions;

2.2.7 ensuring that supervision provided to social workers of African descent is conducted in a culturally relevant, safe, and responsive manner, reflecting a commitment to reparative and supportive practices.

Context for Practice: Social workers learn about oppression, racism and discrimination and the resulting impact on all people. Social workers understand how people can be further disadvantaged by intersecting factors that result in layers of oppression, exclusion, racism, and discrimination.

Standards of Practice: Social workers shall demonstrate respect for all people facing oppression, exclusion, racism, and discrimination by advocating for:

2.4.1 individuals, families, groups, and communities;

2.4.2 promoting awareness of the diversity of all people;

2.4.3 changes to organizational polices and practices in the delivery of services;

2.4.4 broader system change to policy, social programs, and legislative change;

2.4.5 advocating for equitable social, economic, political and cultural policy and legislation.

Context for Practice: Social workers promote the protection of the environment, land, air, water, plants, and animals as essential to the well-being of all people. Social workers identify how climate change and other environmental factors exacerbate social inequalities between individuals and communities. Social workers understand that environmental racism negatively impacts health inequities among racial groups due to poor access to clean air and water, disproportionate exposure to pollution, reduced economic opportunities and benefits, resulting in negative health outcomes that perpetuate systemic oppression. Social workers acknowledge the rights of Mi’kmaq and Indigenous Peoples to steward their own lands.

Standards of Practice: Social workers shall promote the common good of all people by:

2.5.1 understanding the impact of climate change on marginalized groups and acknowledging that climate change has a more significant adverse effect on structurally marginalized populations;

2.5.2 supporting environmental protections by advocating for robust environmental protections through social and governmental policies, and legislation aimed at safeguarding our planet;

2.5.3 facilitating access to adaptation resources by ensuring individuals have access to programs and resources that help them adjust to the impacts of climate change and protect themselves from environmental disasters;

2.5.4 advocating for policies that address environmental racism;

2.5.5 upholding the Constitutional and Treaty rights of Mi’kmaq People by recognizing their inherent right to govern land and water and ensuring their active participation in decisions affecting the well-being of their territories and communities;

2.5.6 integrating Mi’kmaq and Indigenous perspectives into environmental efforts by including Mi’kmaq or L’nu laws, knowledge, practices, and worldviews, while respecting their vital role in protecting land, air, water, flora, and fauna.