FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jul 24, 2025

KJIPUKTUK (HALIFAX, NS) – The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) is proud to announce the launch of its Safe(R) Social Work Framework, an initiative that reaffirms the College’s dedication to proactive, progressive regulation. This framework, rooted in accountability, transparency, and adaptability, is designed to ensure safe and ethical social work practices while advancing principles of equity, justice, and public wellbeing.

“This framework underscores our responsibility to safeguard public trust and champion ethical, effective social work practices,” said Alec Stratford, Executive Director/Registrar of NSCSW. “By integrating principles of right-touch regulation and addressing systemic challenges, we can create safer social and health services.”

The new framework addresses the complexities faced in social work by balancing individual and systemic perspectives. It focuses on identifying areas for improvement within social work practices, developing actionable strategies, and regularly monitoring progress to adapt to emerging challenges.

Key challenges confronting social work practice in Nova Scotia, such as high workloads, moral distress, and structural inequities, are at the heart of this initiative. The NSCSW intends to continue advocating for policy reforms and stronger support systems to mitigate these barriers for well-being. 

“Social workers confront significant systemic obstacles that directly impact their ability to provide safe and ethical services,” said Stratford. “Our framework seeks to address these inequities, ensuring better outcomes for structurally vulnerable populations across Nova Scotia.”

The development of the Safe(R) Social Work Framework integrated critical insights from public reports such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and the Mass Casualty Commission’s final report, all of which highlight the need for systemic reforms to enhance public safety and community wellbeing. By uniting recommendations focused on anti-racism, reconciliation, and mental health, the framework demonstrates NSCSW’s proactive commitment to meaningful social change.

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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]). 

July 19, 2025 — The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) expresses its unwavering and heartfelt solidarity with the Palestinian Social Workers and Psychologists Syndicate and with the people of Gaza, who continue to face unbearable suffering amid the relentless violence, destruction, and displacement.

From the heart of a devastated land, our colleagues in Gaza have reached out with a powerful call, a plea grounded in human dignity and professional ethics. In the face of unimaginable adversity, Palestinian social workers and psychologists are showing the world what it truly means to serve: offering critical psychosocial support, trauma care, and life-affirming assistance to those who have lost homes, loved ones, and every semblance of safety. They do this under constant threat, amid shortages of basic necessities, and at great personal risk.

Their courage is not only an act of professional duty, it is an embodiment of social work’s highest ethical principles: to uphold human rights, to protect the most vulnerable, and to promote peace and justice in the darkest of circumstances. Their actions reflect the spirit of the People’s Charter for an Eco-Social World, a vision that insists on a world rooted in dignity, safety, equality, and solidarity for all.

As the global voice of the profession, IFSW:

• Stands firmly with Palestinian social workers and psychologists, whose unwavering dedication to their communities exemplifies the soul of social work.
• Honours their work as a symbol of ethical resistance and profound compassion, reminding the world that even in the face of war, humanity can prevail.
• Demands immediate international action from governments, humanitarian bodies, and civil society to:
  • End the violence and protect the lives of civilians,
  • Ensure the safety and rights of all humanitarian workers,
  • Guarantee immediate, unhindered access to humanitarian aid,
  • And uphold the universal right of all people to live in peace, dignity, and hope.

We call on all IFSW members, regional bodies, and our vast professional networks to echo this call. Share the voices of our Palestinian colleagues. Advocate boldly in your own contexts for justice, peace, and the sanctity of life. We also recognise Israeli citizens and social workers who are standing up for human rights, and encourage social work colleagues across the region to do the same. We call for the right of all people in the region to live in safety and in a functioning democracy.

In this hour of profound suffering, the global social work family stands as one. Bound by our shared values and humanity, we will not turn away. We will not remain silent. We will act with integrity, courage, and deep solidarity.

To our colleagues in Gaza: You are not alone. Your voices echo across the world. Your suffering is not forgotten. Your work ignites the conscience of our profession and our world. In your courage, we see the essence of social work.

We stand with you, in sorrow, in struggle, and in unwavering hope for a just and peaceful future.

Read this release on IFSW’s website: Public Statement of Solidarity with Palestinian Social Workers and the People of Gaza – International Federation of Social Workers

On May 2, 2025, the NSCSW held our virtual mini conference: Building Connections & Activating Hope. The intent of the professional development committee was to develop a collaborative learning experience that would reinforce relationality and critical hope among participants.

Design challenge

How can social workers activate critical hope in ourselves & others so we can create and sustain change?

The afternoon session invited members to delve deeper into the concepts that had been explored during the morning, and use digital whiteboards via the Canva application to co-create and share ideas. We had ten small groups who created interesting, playful, and thoughtful images and reflections. A few are shared below.

Many groups highlighted the importance of being active in applying anti-oppressive practices and unsettling social work. They expressed that critical hope requires ongoing reflection and action, that learning and unlearning were important, and a need to prioritize non-dominant ways of knowing and being in learning.

Attendees also discussed the importance of prioritizing self-care and joy in this work, while holding onto empathy and compassion for others. There were many who shared the importance of building relationships in professional networks, and with family and friends.

Our Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice are clear in the role of social workers engaging in socially just and critical social work practice. It is important that social workers take an active position resisting settler colonial and white supremacist ideologies, systems, and practices in our work and in ourselves.

Learning in practice

While the design challenge was ultimately a successful activity, it came with a few challenges. It was not known at the time of the conference that Canva allows a maximum number of contributors, so not everyone was able to use the application at the same time. Additionally, not all members were familiar with the application and the learning curve for using this resource was a barrier for some.

However, many attendees reported that the digital whiteboard was an interesting and engaging way to contribute to the discussions, and social workers from across Nova Scotia successfully shared critical thoughts, hopes, and reflections. Our participants at the mini-conference, as well as our members across the province, are individually and collectively working towards safe(R) social work practice.

In case you missed it

While the interactive activities could only be experienced live, the morning sessions were recorded and are available to watch on YouTube. If you were unable to join us for the entire session, you can catch up:

Staff members Tyler Colbourne and Bria Symonds set the stage for the day with opening remarks about critical hope and intersectionality, paradoxes of hope in times of despair, complexity, and decolonial frameworks. And a panel of NSCSW members at every stage of their careers, from student to retiree, in diverse areas of practice, were invited to share their thoughts on how their personal/professional context intersected with the themes of the conference. Panelists generously shared incredible reflections, grounded in socially just, anti-oppressive, and critical perspectives on social work practice.

In thanks

This conference was made possible through the incredible generosity of our members.

Looking ahead

Throughout this province we have thousands of social workers who chose, every single day, to have hope in their interactions with service users, agencies, communities, and society. We saw that throughout the day at our conference

The conversations among conference participants were grounded in socially just, intersectional, and critical social work perspectives. Dozens of attendees co-created a thoughtful and reflective space, deepening our analysis and understanding of critical hope and how it sustains change.

The success of the event and the feedback provided helps us at the NSCSW to better understand how we can support social workers in delivering safe(R) and ethical social work practice in Nova Scotia. We are grateful to all of the members who contributed to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of this event and we look forward to co-creating new and exciting learning engagements in the future.

We hope that next year’s conference can be in person, so our members can gather and fully celebrate everything they have accomplished together in the decade since the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers was transformed into a College in 2016.

If you have additional feedback or thoughts on this conference or future professional development activities, please email Tyler Colbourne at [email protected].

The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) is pleased to introduce our Ethical Consultation Service, designed to support members, social work employers and educators in navigating complex ethical dilemmas in their practice. This service provides confidential, structured guidance to help social workers align their decision-making with the NSCSW Code of Ethics and NSCSW Standards of Practice. 

Ethical consultations are available to: 

• Registered social workers and candidates in Nova Scotia 
• Social work supervisors or employers 
• Educators supporting social work students 

Why Use the Ethical Consultation Service? 

• Enhance professional practice by aligning with ethical standards. 
• Reduce risk by making informed ethical decisions. 
• Strengthen accountability to clients, colleagues, and the profession. 

How to Request an Ethical Consultation 

Step 1: Eligibility 

Ethical consultations are available to: 

• Registered social workers and candidates in Nova Scotia 
• Social work supervisors or employers of NS social workers 
• Educators supporting social work students in NS

Step 2: Submit a Request 

To request a consultation, send an email to [email protected] with the following information: 

• your name;
• contact information;
• eligibility information (e.g. member, employer, supervisor, educator); and
• a brief non-identifying description of the ethical concern.

Step 3: Scheduling & Process 

• Once your request is received, an NSCSW representative will contact within two business days to schedule a consultation. 
• Consultations are typically conducted via phone or video call. If you require accommodation, please let us know. 

Important Considerations 

• Consultations are informational and do not replace a member’s professional judgment or employer policies. 
• Guidance is provided based on the information shared and does not replace legal advice or employer policy guidance. 
• If an ethical issue involves a potential professional misconduct complaint, members may receive guidance on ethical responsibilities without interfering in regulatory investigations. 

This initiative reflects NSCSW’s commitment to supporting social workers in maintaining high ethical and professional standards. If you have any questions or would like to book a consultation, contact us at [email protected].