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Protecting the Public Interest
A message from the Chair of the Board of Examiners
I am pleased to present our annual report, reflecting on a year of sustained effort and progress toward operationalizing the standards of good regulation. Our commitment to these standards is unwavering, as we continue to enhance our regulatory framework, advocate for diversity, manage regulatory risks effectively, and maintain high standards of practice. Below is an overview of our progress and key developments over the past year.
Advancements in Information Accessibility
We have continued to make significant progress in updating our website and registry to provide comprehensive and easily accessible information about our registrants, regulatory requirements, guidance, processes, and decisions. This step ensures transparency and facilitates better understanding and compliance among social workers and the public alike, changes were through bylaws on information that appears in the registrySection 28 – Used Name in Registry.
Many registries still rely on legal names instead of those used by individuals, which can be exclusionary to a vulnerable population.
The adoption of a by-law amendment to update the registry ensures the representation of the names that our members actually use, an essential step towards aligning with the protection of 2SLGBTQIA+ charter rights.
Advocacy for Diversity & Inclusion
The regulator has actively promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion across multiple channels, such as our website, newsletters, and public announcements. We have specified concrete steps for anti-racist regulation, reconciliation, and governance. A key initiative introduced was the compulsory training for all social workers on truth and reconciliation, anti-racism, and bias, showcasing our dedication to creating an inclusive professional setting. This training was successfully completed for the first time in 2023. Subsequently, a professional development report and a quality assurance report demonstrating thorough integration of this learning into practice were presented to the Board.
Regulatory Risk Management
To effectively manage regulatory risks, the NSCSW has introduced specific measures targeting areas such as trauma-specific therapy, sexual misconduct, fitness to practice, guidelines for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), continuous education, and redevelopment of the quality assurance program. These actions are integral to our comprehensive strategy to oversee clinical social work practices and address broader systemic issues affecting care delivery, achieved through collaboration with government, employers, and the wider community.
This year, the Board also conducted numerous interviews with applicants identified as having potential risks to the public. The Board diligently worked to mitigate these risks by implementing measures to ensure they could effectively monitor compliance. Such measures included provisions for positions under supportive supervision, all of which are detailed in the registry.
Performance Reporting & Strategic Objectives
This year, the college completed a significant report on the impacts of the candidacy program, highlighting its pivotal role in fostering critical reflection among new social workers on privilege, values, and ethics. The program provides a structured opportunity for mentees to deeply explore issues of power, privilege, and unintended consequences outside the pressures of daily practice. This reflective process is crucial for developing the competence needed to understand how personal biases and social location influence professional practice, thereby enhancing ethical decision-making.
A key component of the program is its focus on applied ethics, addressing complex issues such as confidentiality, consent, and boundary setting. Feedback from participants indicates that discussing real-life ethical dilemmas with mentors demystifies the process of navigating these challenges, which is invaluable given that confidentiality issues are among the top complaints faced by social workers.
The mentorship provided through the program strengthens new social workers’ ability to manage these ethical challenges effectively.
Additionally, the report on the program identified progress in supporting mentees in developing a strong professional identity and skill set that aligns with their specific interests within the diverse field of social work. Through sharing expertise and experiences, mentors help candidates overcome self-doubt and build confidence in their abilities. The report also addresses the significant stresses inherent to social work and highlights how the Candidacy Mentorship Program (CMP) educates new social workers on recognizing and managing occupational stress injuries, emphasizing the importance of a supportive community of care.
The report demonstrates that CMP plays a complex role in social work regulation, addressing not only the potential for increased complaints among less experienced workers but also the broader challenges new entrants face in the profession. While it helps protect both the public and the candidates by ensuring competency and providing a supportive learning environment, the report acknowledges that CMP alone cannot address all factors leading to complaints. A holistic approach that includes CMP, alongside considerations for organizational culture, workload, and support systems, is essential for the comprehensive development and protection of social worker candidates and the communities they serve.
Standards Review & Development
This year, a major project was initiated to adopt the CASW Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. In November, consultations took place with employers, social workers, and core partners to start the process of adopting a new code of ethics and standards that reflect the current practice of social work. This includes addressing the expectations around anti-Black racism, reconciliation, unconscious bias, and more. In partnership with our clinical committee, we have been advancing clinical standards of practice that will be additional for social workers who practice in a clinical setting.
The values embodied in the new code and standards include:
Respecting the Dignity and Worth of All People,
Promoting Social Justice,
Pursuing Truth and Reconciliation,
Valuing Human Relationships,
Preserving Integrity in Professional Practice,
Maintaining Privacy and Confidentiality, and
Providing Competent Professional Services.
These underline the importance of providing guidance principles, practice context, and standards of practice that are essential for the ethical and effective delivery of social work services.
This endeavor represents a significant step forward in ensuring that our profession remains responsive and relevant to the evolving needs and challenges of society, while upholding the highest ethical standards. Through these updated codes and practices, we aim to reinforce our commitment to social justice, dignity, and excellence in social work practice.
Managing Risks Associated with Non-registrants
The NSCSW actively addresses the risks posed by individuals who use protected titles or practice without proper licensing.
On our discipline page, we highlight examples of how we have taken action to enforce our standards, following complaints we’ve received. This year, there have been several instances where our registrar proactively contacted individuals who were practicing without required registration and successfully resolved these issues informally. Furthermore, during the renewal period, we reviewed job descriptions for members who believed they no longer needed to be registered. In two specific cases, after careful assessment, we decided to deny the request for resignation, and the individuals were required to maintain their registration.
In conclusion, our efforts this past year underscore our dedication to upholding the highest standards of regulatory practice, advancing our profession, and protecting the public interest. We look forward to building on this foundation in the coming year, guided by our strategic objectives and committed to excellence in all aspects of our work.
