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 our social work month events

Celebrating the profession

Every March we celebrate National Social Work Month (NSWM) in recognition of the contributions of social workers to society. The theme adopted by the CASW Board for the 2020 National Social Work Month celebrations is .

Join the conversation online

#NationalSocialWorkMonth #SocialWorkersNS #NSWM2020

“In National Social Work Month we recognize the contributions of social workers to society. This year, our celebration focuses on stories of hope, diversity and inclusion.�?

“Social workers are ordinary but committed people, striving to have extraordinary impact.�?

“Social workers co-create helping relationships with amazing individuals, families and communities who are experts in their own journey of change.�?

Social Work Month Events

Conversation with your College

Join NSCSW Executive Director / Registrar Alec Stratford during National Social Work Month at a Conversation with your College, a series of meetings with social workers across the province, from Sydney to Digby. These events offer an opportunity to engage and connect with the NSCSW, and celebrate the profession of social work.

Chat with Alec about our current advocacy efforts, and how we’re working towards the goals in the five-year Strategic Plan. Talk about the College’s new resources and training for candidacy mentors, and the College’s new social policy framework. As a member-driven organization, your voices are the catalyst for the College’s change as we work together to be a stronger social work community.

This event is FREE. Please preregister on Eventbrite.

Questions? Contact Annemieke Vink at [email protected]

Join us in the following communities:

Mar 4 —

5:00 p.m. — NSCSW Office

March 9 —

12 p.m. — Bridgewater Legion

Mar 19 —

12:30 p.m. — Grand Lake Road Firehall

Mar 23 —

11:45 a.m. — 34 Prince Arthur St.

Mar 30 —

9 a.m. — Digby Station

Professional Development

We have a number of professional development activities available for members during National Social Work Month:

March 16 — (New Minas)
A day of learning, connection, and goat yoga.
March 19 — (Sydney)
Professional identity development, ethical tensions in practice, and leadership in large systems.
March 20 — (New Glasgow)
Explore ethical decision making in the context of social work practice.
March 25 — (Halifax)
An introduction to the new Social Policy Framework developed in partnership with CCPA-NS.
March 30 — (Digby)
Professional identity development, ethical tensions in practice, and leadership in large systems.
March 30 — (Halifax)
Social workers and helping professionals know so much about burn-out and compassion fatigue. The purpose of this workshop is to discover viable solutions and skills to build more self-care and compassion satisfaction in our work lives.

As a NSCSW member, you automatically receive CASW membership and access to a wide selection of online webinars. You can on their website, or sign up for one of the live webinars scheduled for National Social Work Month 2020: