As you may recall, legislative reform in 2023 required provincially regulated employers in our province to accept sick notes written by social workers and many other health professionals providing care within their regulated scope of practice.

Since these changes were made, we have heard from several members requesting guidance for when and how social workers may issue these documents, and we got to work on developing a resource. We are sharing a draft of those guidelines now, and are inviting member feedback.

We encourage you to join the discussion in the comment section below. If you would prefer to send your thoughts more privately to the professional standards committee, please write to [email protected].

Are you studying social work at university?

You could be eligible for a $500 student bursary!

College bursaries will be awarded to several NSCSW members who are attending accredited social work programs in the fall of 2025.

Bursaries are awarded based on your commitment to professional social work practice.

We value diversity and strive to create opportunities for Nova Scotians with intersectional identities who have historically faced barriers. It is not mandatory for applicants to disclose whether or not they belong to any equity-seeking groups. However, preference for bursary awards may be given to applicants who identify as holding an identity that has historically faced barriers to accessing educational opportunities.

To apply, please complete the application form linked below, and attach confirmation of enrolment from your university.

The deadline for applications is October 31, 2025. Bursary decisions will be announced in late fall.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to be a student member of NSCSW to apply?

You need to be an NSCSW member, and a student in an accredited social work program. The bursaries are therefore open to social work undergrads with student membership, and also open to RSW, SWC, and associate members of NSCSW who are pursuing postgraduate social work degrees. We love to support lifelong learning.

Are you a social work student in a BSW program, but not a NSCSW member yet? Check out the benefits of student membership, and sign up today!

But do I have to be a Nova Scotian? Or going to school in Nova Scotia?

Not necessarily; you can be from here, living here, working here, or going to school here.

Most of our student members are enrolled in a social work degree program at Dalhousie, Université Sainte-Anne, or Cape Breton University. But some went to high school in Nova Scotia and have moved to attend a university outside the province. And we definitely have members who are registered and practicing in Nova Scotia while completing an MSW or doctorate program via remote learning.

You do still need to be a member though. Did we mention how useful and affordable our student membership is for undergrads?

How do I know if my social work program is accredited?

Accreditation means that a separate organization has confirmed that the university’s program meets or exceeds accepted educational standards. The National Indigenous Accreditation Board and the Canadian Association for Social Work Education accredit bachelors and masters level social work degrees at Canadian universities. The Council for Social Work Education is the equivalent organization in the United States. Student members studying farther abroad should confirm that their school meets the accreditation standards in that region. Social service diplomas offered by community colleges or private career colleges are not considered equivalent to an accredited social work degree. If you’re still not sure, ask!

Can I use my acceptance letter as proof of enrolment?

Not quite. You need to show that you’re actually enrolled in the Fall 2025 semester.

A proof of enrolment letter from your school’s registrar office is ideal; these documents have exactly the information we need, without any additional disclosures of private info. However, we know wait times at the registrar can get long in September, so we understand if some applicants find it faster and easier to sign into the university’s online portal and send us a class schedule and tuition receipt.

How will I find out if my application was successful?

Bursary recipients are selected by NSCSW Council in late November. We’ll reach out directly to the successful recipients with the good news by the end of that month, so make sure your contact information in the application form is complete and correct.

Names of the award recipients will then be included in our member newsletter in December, and we’ll publish a student spotlight about them in Connection magazine. You can read about the bursary winners from 2024!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4 Sep, 2025

KJIPUKTUK (HALIFAX, NS) – As students across Nova Scotia return to school, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth face yet another academic year without updated Guidelines for Supporting Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students. These guidelines, now over a decade old, fail to reflect the current realities and necessary protections, including the bans on conversion practices legislated both provincially and federally. This gap leaves 2SLGBTQIA+ students vulnerable in environments where they should feel safe and supported.

The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) has long advocated for the rights and well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth. In 2022, the NSCSW co-signed an interprofessional open letter sent to then-Minister Becky Druhan, urging the government to update these critical guidelines. Despite assurances that updates were forthcoming, no action has been taken. This inaction puts children and youth at risk of harm and undermines the ability of social workers in schools to provide safe and ethical services.

“Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and affirmed in their school environment,” said Alec Stratford, Executive Director and Registrar of the NSCSW. “The outdated guidelines fail to reflect the protections now enshrined in law, leaving 2SLGBTQIA+ students at risk of discrimination and harm. It’s time for the government to act and ensure that schools are places where all children can thrive.”

Recent reports highlight the inconsistent application of the existing guidelines across schools, sometimes with disastrous consequences. For example, some schools have restricted access to gender-neutral bathrooms, citing unrelated concerns, which directly impacts the rights and dignity of 2SLGBTQIA+ students. These inconsistencies, coupled with a lack of first-voice representation in decision-making, perpetuate harm and discrimination.

Robert Wright, President of the NSCSW, emphasized the urgency of this issue: “The failure to update these guidelines is not just a policy gap—it’s a failure of leadership in the face of increasing persecution of members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Schools must be places where every child, regardless of their gender identity or expression, feels safe and supported. The government’s delay in addressing this issue puts children at risk and undermines the principles of equity and justice.”

The NSCSW, alongside community groups and the public, has called on the provincial government to act now. We need updated guidelines that align with the bans on conversion practices and reflect the Yogyakarta Principles. These updates must ensure that every 2SLGBTQIA+ student can learn in a safe, supportive, and affirming environment.

We urge the government to:

1. Update the Guidelines for Supporting Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Studentsto reflect current legislation and best practices.
2. Ensure first-voice representation from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in all decision-making processes affecting children and youth.
3. Launch Nova Scotia’s long-awaited Child and Youth Commission to provide an independent avenue for children to voice their concerns and protect their rights.

No child should fear being unsupported or subjected to harmful practices in their school. It’s time to prioritize the safety, dignity, and well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ students.

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About us:

The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers serves and protects Nova Scotians by effectively regulating the profession of social work. We work in solidarity with Nova Scotians to advocate for policies that improve social conditions, challenge injustice, and value diversity.

For more information or to arrange interviews with NSCSW spokespersons, contact: Rebecca Faria, communication coordinator for NSCSW (902-429-7799 ext. 227, [email protected]).