The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers recognizes that during these unprecedented times of grief and loss, stress and anxiety, social workers are going above and beyond to provide professional care in the work place, and care at home to our families and communities. We are all extending ourselves to meet extraordinary needs. As a regulatory body and professional association, we are empathetic to the stress and strain that our members are facing.
To accommodate and to encourage personal self-care and reflection, and as well as to maintain safety in our practice, the Board of Examiners and Council of the College are amending the Professional Development Requirements policy for 2020.
Regulations state that all members are required to submit evidence of 40 hours of social work-related professional development as part of their application for renewal. The hours must have been obtained in the most recent 12 months prior to application. In addition, members must also complete 5 hours of social work ethics professional development over a recurring 5-year period in addition to their annual 40 hours. These regulations will be maintained, but accommodations will be made to the various categories of professional development.
The Council of the College and Board of Examiners have adopted the following temporary policy changes.
Ethics hours
The requirement for ethics hours will remain the same.
If you were registered before 2016, then this renewal year is when you are required to have completed your first 5 hours of professional development in social work ethics. Your member profile has been updated and reflects your accumulated Ethics hours for a five year cycle. Please check and verify your recorded hours. If you have not yet completed your 5 ethics hours, please reach out to Annemieke Vink for support and ideas for completing this requirement.
Formal professional development hours
Current policy
For active members, a minimum of 20 professional development hours must be formal activities, and all 40 hours can be in this category.
New temporary policy
For 2020 the minimum amount of formal professional development will be 5 hours. All 40 hours can still come from this category.
Informal professional development hours
Current policy
Informal professional development activities and independent learning which enhances social work can be counted for a maximum of 20 hours.
New temporary policy
For 2020 the maximum number of informal professional development hours that can be counted is 35 hours.
Supervision/Consultation
Current policy
Social workers can count activities such as supervision, consultation and mentoring a candidate in the Candidacy Mentorship Program for a maximum of 20 hours.
New temporary policy
For 2020 the maximum amount of supervision/consultation hours that can be counted is 35 hours.
Volunteer work
Current policy
Social workers can count volunteer work related to social work for a maximum of 20 hours.
New temporary policy
For 2020 the maximum amount of volunteer hours that can be counted is 35 hours.
Personal development activities
Current policy
Social workers can count personal activities such as self-care, keeping a journal of learning experiences, and developing a professional portfolio for a maximum of 5 hours.
New temporary policy
For 2020 the maximum amount of personal activities hours that can be counted is 35 hours.
Related content:
- Social Worker Regulations (PDF)
- Application & Renewal Policy Manual (PDF)
- Professional development activities
(describes how activities are categorized)
Just checking if gardening, walking and yoga can be considered as self care. As a retired social worker I have been doing these activities since spring. Pls let me know. Thank you..
Great question, Fred! Yes, I believe these activities can be considered self-care. You might find the Inspiring a Learning Community [PDF] document helpful as well.