Social work is a profession that highlights the importance of close and purposeful relationships with clients. These relationships play a crucial role in people’s lives, and directly affect their quality of life and general well-being. Within that important relationship, social workers are required to maintain professional boundaries with clients and to ensure that the professional relationship serves the needs of their clients.
The Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia introduced their new vision for mental health services last week. It provides a clear vision for mental health and addictions services that we have not seen since the NDP released their strategy “Together We Can” while in government almost a decade ago. While the plan certainly has some questionable policy choices, the vision it presents is transformative and the PCs deserve credit for putting forward a bold plan.
December 18, 2020 — An online workshop on the foundations of ethical social work practice, particularly in the Nova Scotian context. This experiential learning opportunity is available to all social workers who have not attended an Ethics 101 session before.
In this issue, our contributors consider anti-racist advocacy and social work praxis, particularly as these intersect with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Sept 24, 2020 — As many Nova Scotian fishing communities struggle through conflict and crisis — worsened by the intersections of a pandemic, economic uncertainty, and racism — we encourage our members to approach this work with a trauma-informed lens, to draw on the resources available to you, and to ground your praxis in your professional values and ethics.
Oct 23, 2020 — Special Meeting of Members called to amend by-laws, to allow for electronic voting at future annual or special general meetings.
Nov 12, 2020 — Participants will join Davina Melanson, behavioural intervention teacher, to discuss and unpack mental health challenges emerging in elementary aged youth, and concrete strategies for teachers, counsellors and concerned communities to engage in practical, supportive action. Delivered in partnership between CASW and NSCSW.
Nov 2, 2020 — Jacqueline Barkley, MSW, RSW, will introduce session participants to key introductory issues in understanding the Borderline Personality Disorder diagnosis and its traits, and provide concrete suggestions for managing clients suffering from this personality disorder. Delivered in partnership between CASW and NSCSW.
Oct 28, 2020 — Jenny Cameron MSW, RSW, and Thomas Williams, MSW, RSW, will describe key points about historical and contemporary telehealth services, and discuss future directions of telehealth in Nova Scotia and across Canada. Particular attention will be paid to how technology can be used to provide more equitable services to marginalized populations within Nova Scotia. The discussion will be situated within the Social Work Code of Ethics, covering how we can ensure services promote inherent dignity, social justice, and confidentiality for all of those involved. Delivered in partnership between CASW and NSCSW.
Oct 21, 2020 — Anne Pirie and Jim Morton will introduce participants to Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) and describe how to construct a family diagram: a tool for assessing and recording significant contextual information. This webinar will show how placing symptoms in their family/ social context informs diagnostic work and treatment directions in various clinical settings. Delivered in partnership between CASW and NSCSW.
CONNECTION is the official newsletter of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers.
