The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers exists to serve and protect Nova Scotians by effectively regulating the profession of social work.

As a member you have the ability to support the NSCSW in building a professional community that embodies the best of social work practice.

Ensuring Nova Scotians receive the services of skilled and competent social workers who are knowledgeable, ethical, qualified, and accountable to the people who receive social work services.

Private practitioners are self-employed RSWs who are licensed to practice independently in one or more areas of specialization.

We establish, maintain, and regulate Standards of Professional Practice to ensure Nova Scotians receive the services of skilled and competent social workers who are knowledgeable, ethical, qualified, and accountable to the people who receive their services.

Stay up to date on the latest news and events happening with NSCSW.

See the NSCSW Standards of Practice

Guiding social work practice

Social workers are guided by the College’s Standards of Practice & the Code of Ethics.

The Standards of Practice, crafted in consultation with the College’s members, detail their responsibilities to clients, colleagues, employers, and society as a whole.

The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) Code of Ethics sets values and principles to guide social workers’ professional conduct. Ethical behavior must also come from a social worker’s individual commitment to engage in ethical practice. The spirit and the letter of the Code of Ethics serves to guide social workers as they act in good faith with a genuine desire to make sound judgments.

The College also develops practice support guidelines and tools to assist members and employers in interpreting and applying the College’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics in specific areas. These resources contain information and practice advice which members of the College should consider when navigating complex issues.

The Standards of Practice:

Establishes professional expectations as the basis of responsibility for social workers so that they may develop, control, evaluate, and improve their own practice.
Promotes the protection of the public, and specifically of clients of social workers, by ensuring competent social work practice.
Provides a basis for professional development and continuing education within the profession.
Put into action the values, ethics, knowledge, and skills expected of social work professionals, so that other professionals, employees, clients and the general public may understand the goals and methods of social work practice in Nova Scotia.
Enhances the value and credibility of the profession so that it may more effectively advocate for social change when deemed necessary.

Read the Standards of Practice

Lisez le normes de pratique

The Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics is social work’s foundational document in practice. It encompasses the values of our profession, articulates our central beliefs and creates the unique context for engaging in our work. It is aspirational and provides an ideal to strive for.

Read the Code of Ethics

Lisez le code de déontologie

Guiding social work practice

The Standards of Practice:

The Code of Ethics

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