Glossary

Advocate

The act of directly representing or defending others. In social work, advocating involves championing the rights of individuals, groups or communities through direct intervention or through empowerment. It is an ethical obligation of the profession.³⁵

Africentric³⁶/Africentricity

The concept of Africentricity and Africentric knowledge has its theoretical origins in a work by Molefi Kete Asante titled Afrocentricity: The Theory of Social Change³⁷. Africentricity is the act of placing African and African Canadian history, culture, and heritage at the centre of all that has to do with people of African descent. Africentricity is a pillar in centring, honouring and protecting African ancestral knowledge systems, practices and ways of being.³⁸ “Afrocentricity has several broad goals, but four are pervasive in its literature: 1) Afrocentricity exposes and actively resists “white racial domination” over African Americans; 2) it transforms African Americans toward their cultural center; 3) it converts African Americans to an ideology of values, spirituality, and rituals; and 4) it analyzes disciplines, such as literature, history, linguistics, politics, science, religion, and economics from an Afrocentric perspective.”³⁹ When working with service users of African descent, social workers are to understand the collective identity as opposed to individualism, the interconnection of all things and the oneness of mind, body and spirit and value placed on friendship, compassion, sharing, honesty, courage and self-control. Social workers are to work across system levels and engage family, extended family, and community.⁴⁰

Africentric Knowledge

The way of knowing that is grounded in African centered traditions and places the African Worldview in the center of any sociocultural and sociohistorical analysis of African Peoples and integrates traditional values such as collectivism, spirituality-centered thought and wisdom, community, honouring elders and knowledge keepers, rituals, and taboos, and acknowledges the African historical oppression and resulting experiences of impoverished living conditions, discrimination and loss of culture and identity.⁴¹,⁴²,⁴³

Africentric Social Work

An approach to social work practice that is based on traditional African philosophical assumptions that are used to explain and solve human societal problems. There are “three fundamental assumptions of Africentric social work: that individual identity is hinged on a collective identity; that the spiritual aspect of human is as legitimate as the material aspect; and that the effective approach to knowledge is epistemologically valid. It is implied in Africentric social work that one cannot affect one member of the society without affecting others. In Africa, there is no clear separation between an individual and others.”⁴⁴ Social workers practising at the micro and macro level understand that human problems are grounded in oppression and spiritual alienation and strive to empower people through incorporating traditional values and practices, building on strengths, and addressing colonial systems and the negative impact on people.⁴⁵

Anti-Black Racism

Refers to attitudes, beliefs, stereotyping, discrimination and prejudice targeted at people of African descent. The roots of anti-Black racism are found in enslavement and its legacies. Deeply entrenched in Canadian institutions, policies and practices, anti-Black racism is either normalized or rendered invisible to the larger white society. Anti-Black racism manifests itself in how Black Canadians are disadvantaged, or marginalized, in society, the economy and politics. As a result, Black Canadians often have unequal opportunities, higher unemployment, and significant poverty rates. They are also overrepresented in the criminal justice system.⁴⁶

Assent

Assent, the expression of approval or agreement, relates to children and youth under the legal age to provide consent. “Assent should be sought, and strong indicators of dissent should be given serious consideration.”⁴⁷

Valid consent under The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) requires individuals to understand the information relevant to healthcare decisions and to grasp the consequences of those decisions. This law recognizes that minors can possess the maturity to consent, known as “mature minors,” and this ability may vary with each situation and develop over time. Therefore, minors’ capacity to consent is assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering their understanding and maturity level for each healthcare decision. For example, a 17-year-old may be able to consent to certain intervention but not others. In Nova Scotia, there is no specific age when children or youth automatically have the right to consent to intervention or information release. Social workers must individually determine if a minor is capable of making informed decisions about their care, taking into account each minor’s unique circumstances and abilities. For more information, refer to the PHIA⁴⁸ document on Consent, Capacity, and Substitute Decision Makers.

Burnout

The stress and frustration caused by the workplace: having poor pay, unrealistic demands, heavy workload, heavy shifts, poor management, and inadequate supervision.⁴⁹

Capacity

The ability to understand information relevant to a decision and to appreciate the reasonably foreseeable consequences of choosing to act or not to act. Capacity is specific to each decision; thus, a person may be capable of deciding about a place of residence, for example, but not capable of deciding about treatment. Capacity can change over time.⁵⁰

Clinical Specialization / Clinical Specialist

The Board of Examiners defines the scope of the Clinical Specialist as social work in a private practice that:

1. provides mental health and well-being, addiction, trauma, grief/loss/illness and crisis assessments and services that situate the individual within their social context inclusive of family, political, economic and cultural factors with a focus on the structural social determinants of health;
2. utilizes therapy and interventions that are grounded in principles of evidence-informed, bio-psycho-social-spiritual approaches that are culturally relevant to the social contexts of service users to achieve their mental health and well-being, addiction, trauma, grief/loss/illness and crisis intervention goals;
3. engages directly with individuals, couples, families and groups focused on complex issues affecting individual and family functioning and their relationships including, but not limited to, mental health, addiction, trauma, grief/loss/illness and crisis; and
4. informed by the broader concepts intrinsic to social work including human rights and social justice.

Only Registered Social Workers who are approved by the Board of Examiners are entitled to engage in the private practice of a clinical social work specialization.

Collective Trauma

Refers to the impact of a traumatic experience that affects and involves entire groups of people, communities, or societies. Collective trauma can impact relationships, alter policies and governmental processes, alter the way the society functions, and even change its social norms.⁵¹

Conflict of Interest

A situation in which a member of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) has a personal, financial, or other professional interest or obligation which gives rise to a reasonable apprehension that the interest or obligation may influence the member in the exercise of their responsibilities.

Actual influence is not required in order for a conflict-of-interest situation to exist. It is sufficient if there is a reasonable apprehension that there may be such influence. One of the hallmarks of a conflict-of-interest situation is that a reasonable person, informed of all the circumstances, would have a reasonable apprehension (in the sense of reasonable expectation or concern) that the interest might influence the member. The influence need not be actual but may simply be perceived. However, a mere possibility or suspicion of influence is not sufficient to give rise to a conflict of interest. The interest must be significant enough to give rise to a “reasonable apprehension” that the personal, financial, or other professional interest may influence the member in the performance of their professional responsibilities.

Confidentiality

A professional value that stresses that professionally acquired information be kept private and not shared with third parties unless the service user provides informed consent, or a professional or legal obligation exists to share such information without the service user’s informed consent. The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) legislates rights of individuals and obligations of “custodians” in the health system with respect to health information.⁵²

Compassion Fatigue

The profound emotional and physical erosion that takes place when a social worker or other helper is unable to refuel and regenerate.

Competence/Continuing competence

The demonstrated ability of an individual to accomplish an activity, task or professional act.⁵³ The Social Workers Regulations⁵⁴ defines the term competent as “the ability to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills and judgment required to practice safely and ethically in a designated role and practice setting” (p. 4). In turn, continuing competence refers to “career-long enhancement of knowledge, skill, and judgement required to practice safely and ethically”⁵⁵. The achievement of professional competence is an ongoing process.

Community Care

This concept emphasizes the importance of mutual aid, support systems, and communal responsibility in fostering individual and collective well-being. It recognizes that not everyone has equal access to the resources needed for self-care and stresses the role of community in providing emotional and practical support.

Cultural Diversity

Integrated patterns of diverse and unique human behaviour, including attitudes, thoughts, communications, actions, traditions, customs, beliefs, and values. Culture also encompasses diversity based on race, ethnicity, religion, ability, disability, sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender identity, age and generational differences.⁵⁶

Cultural Humility

The attitude and practice of working with individuals, families, groups or communities at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels with a presence of humility while learning, communicating, offering help, and making decisions in professional practice and settings. Cultural humility is other-oriented. The key to the approach is understanding social work practice and roles from the viewpoint of being a continuous learner.⁵⁷

Cultural Safety

An approach that considers how social and historical contexts, as well as structural and interpersonal power imbalances, shape social inequities and the experiences of service users. The approach can be used as a framework for examining and understanding the roots of inequities and perpetuating discrimination. Cultural safety involves the social worker developing and continuing critical self-reflection, being self-aware with regards to their position of power, and understanding how social and historical contexts influence and shape systems and institutions, “Safety” is defined by those who receive the service, not those who provide it.⁵⁸

Culturally Responsive

The provision of culturally responsive care/practices involves the concept of responsiveness, which refers to “the quality of individuals to open themselves for the needs of others. Responsiveness meaning the noting of the existence of a need by assuming the position of another person, is […] seen as the first step to care, which should be followed by a responsibility to respond to this need”⁵⁹.

Discrimination

The unjust or prejudicial treatment of a person or group of people that deprives them of or limits their access to opportunities and advantages that are available to other members of society based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability and conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered.⁶⁰

Decolonization

The process of undoing the cultural, political, and economic domination of colonized peoples by their colonizers. It involves reclaiming sovereignty, restoring Indigenous lands and rights, and revitalizing cultural practices, languages, and traditions that were suppressed or eradicated due to colonial rule.

Diverse Service Users

The variety of cultural backgrounds, heritage, languages, beliefs and spiritual practices, identities and experiences among the individuals, couples, families, groups, communities and organizations that social workers serve.

Dual or Multiple Relationship

Dual relationship is defined as a situation in which a social worker, in addition to their professional relationship, has one or more other relationships with the service user, regardless of whether this occurs prior to, during, or following the provision of professional services. A dual relationship does not necessarily constitute a conflict of interest; however, where dual relationships exist, there is a strong potential for conflict of interest and there may be an actual or perceived conflict of interest.

Relationships beyond the professional one include, but are not limited to, those in which the College member receives a service from the service user, the College member has a personal, familial or business relationship with the service user, or the College member provides therapy to students or employees within their place of work, or supervisees.

Environmental Racism

The systematic and institutionalized practice where communities of colour, Indigenous peoples, and economically disadvantaged groups are disproportionately exposed to hazardous pollution, toxic waste, and other environmental harms. This concept also extends to these communities having less access to natural resources, clean air, and water, and often facing obstacles in seeking justice and equitable treatment in environmental policy and decision-making processes. Environmental racism is a form of systemic inequality that intersects with issues of race, class, and the environment, highlighting how marginalized communities bear the brunt of environmental degradation and neglect.

Electronic Social Work Services

The use of computers (including the Internet, social media, online chat, text, and email) and other electronic means (such as cell phones, tablets, landline telephones, and video technology) to (a) provide information to the public, (b) deliver social work services to service users, (c) communicate with service users, (d) manage confidential information and case records, (e) store and access information about service users, and (f) arrange payment for professional services.⁶¹

Equity Deserving Group

Defined as “a group of people who, because of systemic discrimination, face barriers that prevent them from having the same access to the resources and opportunities available to other members of society, and that are necessary for them to attain just outcomes. Some preference is given to the term “equity-deserving group” because it highlights that equity should be achieved from a systemic, cultural, or societal change and the burden of seeking equity should not be placed on the group.⁶²

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

A conceptual framework that promotes the fair treatment and full participation of all people, especially populations that have historically been underrepresented or subject to discrimination because of their background, identity, disability, and other factors. Equity involves providing resources according to the need to help diverse populations achieve their highest state of health and other functioning. Diversity refers to the representation or composition of various social identity groups in an organization, or community. Inclusion strives for an environment that offers affirmation, celebration, and appreciation of different approaches, styles, perspectives, and experiences.⁶³

Ethical dilemma

There are three conditions that must be present for a situation to be considered an ethical dilemma. The first condition occurs in situations when a social worker must make a decision about which course of action is best. The second condition is that there must be different courses of action to choose from. Third, no matter what course of action is taken, some ethical principle is compromised. In other words, there is no perfect solution.

Evidence-Informed Practice

In the context of social work, evidence-informed practice refers to the use of outcomes-based research to guide decisions and interventions. It emphasizes practices that are both effective and equitable, integrating diverse knowledge systems to address the needs of all communities. This approach acknowledges and challenges cognitive imperialism, ensuring that research and evidence are not limited by a dominant colonial worldview, but instead incorporate inclusive and culturally respectful methodologies.

Family

Any person(s) who plays a significant role in an individual’s life. This may include a person(s) not legally related to the individual. Members of family include spouses, domestic partners, and both different-sex and same-sex significant others. The term “domestic partners” in this definition also encompasses all legally recognized same-sex relationships, including civil unions and reciprocal beneficiary arrangements. Family includes a minor patient’s parents, regardless of the gender of either parent⁶⁴. Many 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and adults have difficult relationships with or no relationship at all with the people who raised them. Chosen family is the group of (often) lifelong friends that function as a supportive and loving family.⁶⁵

First Nations

Refers to the Indigenous Peoples of Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. They hold deep cultural, spiritual, and historical significance as the original inhabitants of the land, with diverse traditions, languages, and governance systems that reflect centuries of connection to their territories. The term “First Nations” also applies to distinct communities often referred to as ‘reserves’ or informally as ‘rez.’ These areas, established under colonial frameworks, are home to many First Nations people today. Despite historical injustices, First Nations continue to contribute vital knowledge and practices while advocating for the preservation of their rights, lands, and cultures.

First Voice Perspectives

An approach that centers on understanding and addressing situations through the eyes of the individual(s) experiencing them. This approach prioritizes the service user’s lived experiences, personal narratives, and unique perspectives. In social work, it emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration, ensuring the service user’s voice is central in decision-making and intervention planning. It aligns with core values of dignity, self-determination, and empowerment, fostering trust and inclusivity in practice.

Harassment and Bullying

Includes behaviours such as: intimidation; racist or culturally offensive remarks; micro aggressive remarks; unwelcome sexual remarks; jokes that ridicule or offend a reasonable person; unwelcome physical contact; verbal threats; sharing offensive pictures or documents at work; staring, following, stalking; or anything else that belittles or embarrasses a reasonable person.

Hate

The “provocation, hostility or intolerance by means of threats, harassment, abuse, incitement or intimidation motivated by the actual or perceived race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability or sexual orientation of any person”.⁶⁶

Human Rights

Describe how people instinctively expect to be treated as persons. Human rights define that everyone is entitled to a life of equality, equity, dignity, respect, and a life free from discrimination and oppression. Fundamental human rights include the right to live free from torture, the right to live free from slavery, the right to own property, as well as the right to equality and dignity, and to live free from all forms of discrimination. In Canada, human rights are protected by provincial, territorial, federal, and international laws. In Nova Scotia, in addition to federal legislation, human rights are protected by the Human Rights Act and upheld by the Human Rights Commission.⁶⁷,⁶⁸

Inequities

Inequities refer to systemic and structural disparities that lead to unequal access to resources, opportunities, and rights, disproportionately affecting marginalized and oppressed groups. These inequities are often perpetuated by discriminatory practices, policies, and societal attitudes rooted in factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, and sexual orientation.

Informed Consent

For consent to be considered valid (i.e. to treatment, participation in counselling or program, or agreement to disclose professional information to a third party), it must be an “informed” consent. The service user must have been given an adequate explanation about the nature of the proposed assessment, referral, treatment, intervention or record disclosure, its anticipated outcome, and the significant risks to the service user that may result in providing consent, and alternatives available. The information must be such that it will allow the patient to reach an informed decision. In situations where the service user is deemed to not be mentally capable, the discussion must take place with the substitute decision-maker.⁶⁹

Intimate Partner and Gender Based Violence

A pattern of behaviour within a relationship used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. It encompasses physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions, or threats of such actions, that harm or manipulate someone. This includes behaviours that frighten, intimidate, control, humiliate, hurt, terrorize, or injure a person. Although anyone can experience intimate partner violence, women and gender-diverse people are disproportionately affected, facing higher rates of abuse due to systemic inequalities and societal power dynamics. It occurs across all races, ages, sexual orientations, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds, within relationships such as marriage, cohabitation, or dating. Recognizing and addressing this disproportionate impact is essential for fostering safety and equality.⁷⁰

Intersectionality

Denotes how individuals occupy more than one social category, such as ethnicity, economic status, gender, race, sexual orientation, permanent or temporary limits on a person’s ability, and other identity factors that result in inequality, discrimination, exclusion, and disadvantage.⁷¹

Intersecting Factors of Exclusion

A lack of belonging, acceptance and recognition derived from intersecting factors such as gender, sexual identity, ethnicity, disability, migrant experiences, health or economic status.⁷²

Involuntary Service Users

People whose involvement with social workers is mandated by law, including families in the child protection system who are subject to a court order, users of mental health services who are under a legal order to remain in a hospital or required to participate in mental health services, people with a cognitive disorder who are assessed as being unable to voluntarily participate, and people involved in the criminal justice system who are the subject of a court order such as probation or court-ordered assessment.

Justice

Involves the concepts of fairness, equity, and equality within society. It involves ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, identity, or socioeconomic status, have equal access to resources, opportunities, and rights. Justice is about striving to create a society where fairness, equity, and equality are at the forefront of social policies, practices, and behaviours. It involves actively working to dismantle systemic barriers, advocating for social change, and empowering marginalized communities to ensure that all individuals can lead fulfilling lives with dignity and respect.

Moral Distress

The anguish resulting from the collision between one’s ethics and the demands of the workplace is referred to as moral distress. The concept recognizes the structural constraints and barriers social workers can face when trying to practice ethically. Structural constraints can include organizational policies, legal requirements, standards, resource insufficiencies, objectification of service users, increased administrative burden on social workers, and lack of support for effective practice and ethical decision-making.⁷³

Privilege

The advantages enjoyed by a person or group of people due to their membership in a given social group or category. Examples include gender privilege, linguistic privilege, racial privilege, socioeconomic privilege, and privilege derived from role and authority.⁷⁴

The social work profession understands privilege as “sitting in a place of having an unearned benefit because of a particular social identity or social group membership.” Privilege is described as advantages across multiple dimensions of identity, race, class, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, age, ability status and more. Privilege offers protection, advantage, access to resources, and limited surveillance. Privilege implies the freedom to be allowed to navigate easily through daily activities and life milestones, and to benefit from long-term advantages and gains. Social groups that have privilege reap specific benefits, which ultimately means another social group doesn’t have the same advantages and are thus disadvantaged, often severely. The social work profession demands social justice is sought, and in this effort, it is important to recognize that, where privileges are granted to people because of an observed social identity, this is harmful and creates systems and structures of oppression. Understanding how privilege operates to oppress and subjugate people increases the ability to see these injustices and inspires people to seek equity and liberation.”⁷⁵

Private Practice

Private practice, as defined in section 2(j) of the Social Workers Act, refers to the provision of social work services by individuals who are self-employed, as determined by the Board. This entails Registered Social Workers or Social Worker Candidates in good standing delivering social work services within their areas of competence, excluding the clinical specialization services (see above). According to the Board of Examiners, self-employment in social work involves:

1. The social worker being solely responsible for the liabilities of their practice.
2. The social worker billing a service user or a service user-affiliated organization for the provision of those services, as outlined in section 5A of the Act.

It’s important for social workers to understand the distinction between being hired as contractors versus employees.

Professional Boundaries

A set of guidelines, expectations and rules that set limits for safe, acceptable, and effective behaviour by social workers. Modern professional boundaries are derived from a variety of sources. Some are from law or government policy, some are laid down and codified in quality standards, some are generally understood as good practice, and some will be found in organizations’ policies and procedures. They are driven by many factors and as a result “professional boundaries” is a catch-all term for a very varied collection of rules and guidelines.⁷⁶

Racism

The discrimination or antagonism by, or the prejudice of, an individual, community or institution against a person or people based on the person’s or people’s membership or perceived membership in a racial or ethnic group, and having the power to carry out that discrimination, antagonism or prejudice through institutional policies and practices that shape cultural beliefs and values of a society. An ideology that establishes a hierarchy between races or ethnic groups. There is no scientific basis for the concept of race.⁷⁷

Reconciliation

The process in social work of addressing the impacts of colonialism by fostering respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples, advocating for Indigenous self-determination, and supporting healing and justice through decolonized and culturally informed practices.

Resilience

An ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change; the ability to regulate emotions, attention, and behaviour.⁷⁸

First Nations, Métis and Inuit resiliency is rooted in language, culture, and spirituality in both individual and collective processes contributing to strengthening the individual and collective identities coexisting in balance with the land.

Black resiliency is the ongoing process of building and renewal within the context of complex challenges associated with anti-Black racism, discrimination, stereotyping, marginalization and experiences of microaggressions. Black resiliency is developed through community, cooperation, social cohesion, social interaction, and actively contributing to solutions for self and others. Traditions, collective expressions of culture and spirituality are key components as are community and the role of the church and faith. Black resilience includes seeing opportunities to build back stronger and personal growth and development. ⁷⁹,⁸⁰,⁸¹

Secondary Trauma

Is the result of bearing witness to a traumatic event (or to a series of events) which can lead to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms.⁸²

Self Care

The practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.

Self-Determination

A core social work value that refers to the right to self-direction and freedom of choice without interference from others. Self-determination is codified in practice through mechanisms of informed consent. Social workers may be obligated to limit self-determination when a service user lacks capacity or to prevent harm.⁸³

Self-Determination in an Indigenous social work context refers to Indigenous people fully consenting and actively participating in decision-making where outcomes benefit the overall well-being of the individual, family, and community.⁸⁴

Service User(s)

Individuals (service users, patients, residents, etc.), parents and substitute decision-makers, families, groups, communities, and populations who access or receive social work services. Service users are additionally defined by the following:

Current Service User

A person becomes a “current service user” when a social worker-service user relationship is formed and is ongoing. To determine whether a social worker-service user relationship exists, consider the following factors:

• whether the social worker has provided social work services to the service user;
• whether the social worker has charged or received payment from the individual (or a third party on behalf of the individual) for social work services provided by the social worker;
• whether the social worker has contributed to a social work record or file for the individual;
• whether the individual has consented to social work service provided by the social worker; and/or
• other factors relevant to the circumstances of the individual and the social worker.

A social worker-service user relationship may exist where one of the above factors is met or when a combination of factors is met.

A service user may no longer be considered a current service user if care was provided in an episodic setting. Example:

• One brief intervention service
• A one-time referral to a service
• A one-time visit in collaborative care practice or urgent care setting

If the current service user is an intimate/romantic partner or spouse of the social worker, that person is not considered a current service user for the purposes of the sexual misconduct policy. However, social workers shall refrain from providing any social work services to such persons.

Former Service User

A person ceases to be a current service user and becomes a “former service user” when the social worker-service user relationship ends in accordance with the College’s Standards of Practice.

Social workers considering engaging in any sexual behaviour with a former service user shall consider the following:

• ongoing risk to the former service user;
• risk of a continuing power imbalance;
• length of time that has passed since the last clinical/professional encounter;
• nature of the social work services provided, including:
  • type, intensity, and duration of the services;
  • likelihood of the former service user requiring service from the social worker in the future;
  • extent of the personal health information accessible by the social worker;
  • vulnerability of the service user;
  • maturity of the service user; and
  • service user ’s decision-making ability

A minimum of two years of time must pass to lessen the vulnerability. The exact length of time has not been defined as it may vary based on factors relevant to each former service user ’s circumstances.

Vulnerable Former Service User

A “vulnerable former service user” is a service user who is no longer a current service user, but who requires particular protection from sexual misconduct for reasons of ongoing vulnerability. For some former service users, their degree of vulnerability is such that they will always be considered vulnerable former service users. This includes service users to whom a social worker has provided therapy and sex therapy. For clarity, sexual relations between a social worker and a service user to whom the provided therapy and/or sexual therapy is prohibited at any time following termination of the professional relationship.

To determine whether a former service user is a vulnerable former service user (other than those provided with therapy and/or sex therapy) consideration should be given to:

• the length and intensity of the former professional relationship;
• the nature of the former service user’s problem or issue;
• the type of social work services provided by the social worker;
• the extent to which the former service user has confided personal or private information to the social worker;
• the vulnerability of the former service user during the social worker-service user relationship; and
• other factors relevant to the particular circumstances.

Generally, the lengthier the social worker-service user relationship and the greater the dependency, the more likely the person will be found to be a vulnerable former service user by those adjudicating an allegation of sexual misconduct.

Engaging in, initiating, or requesting sexualized conduct at any time with a vulnerable former service user is sexual misconduct.

Where a social worker is in doubt as to a former service user’s vulnerability, or whether the social worker-service user relationship has been properly terminated, they may wish to seek advice from the College.

Sexualized Conduct

Sexualized conduct refers to conduct including threatened, attempted, or actual conduct, behaviour, or words of a social worker, with a sexual connotation, character, or quality. The term “sexualized conduct” does not include clinically indicated questions or services.

Sexual Misconduct

Sexual misconduct includes any sexualized conduct engaged in by a social worker with a current service user or vulnerable former service user, including but not limited to:

• sexualized comments or questions by a social worker to a current service user that lacks occupational relevance, including comments or questions about a service user’s body, clothing or sexual history;
• threatened or attempted sexual contact by a social worker to a current service user;
• sexual touching of any kind between a social worker and a current service user;
• a social worker encouraging a current service user to engage in sexualized behaviour within the social worker-service user relationship; and
• sexual abuse.

Sexual Abuse

A form of sexual misconduct. It includes the following acts between a social worker and a current service user or vulnerable former service user:

• sexual intercourse including: genital to genital, genital to anal, oral to genital, or oral to anal contact;
• masturbation of the service user by the social worker;
• a social worker encouraging a service user to masturbate in the presence or for the benefit of the social worker; or
• masturbation by the social worker in the presence of the service user.

Social Exclusion

Social exclusion describes a state in which individuals are unable to participate fully in economic, social, political and cultural life, as well as the process leading to and sustaining such a state.⁸⁵ People who are socially excluded are more economically and socially vulnerable and tend to have diminished life experiences. Indigenous social exclusion resulting from colonialism and current social policies impacts education, income and employment and the inequitable distribution of resources.⁸⁶

Social Justice

The belief that peoples from all identity groups have the same rights, opportunities, access to resources, and benefits. It acknowledges that historical inequalities exist and must be addressed and remedied through specific measures, including advocacy to confront discrimination, oppression, and institutional inequalities, with a recognition that this process should be participatory, collaborative, inclusive of difference, and affirming of personal agency. Social justice is a foundational value and aspiration of the social work profession.⁸⁷

Social Worker

A person who is duly registered to practise social work in a province or territory.

Structural Social Determinants of Health

Structural social determinants of health are the systemic and overarching economic, social, and political policies and frameworks that shape the conditions of daily life. These determinants establish the distribution of power, wealth, and resources at global, national, and local levels, fundamentally influencing individual and community health outcomes. They include mechanisms through which social hierarchies are created and maintained, such as legislation, economic policies, societal norms, and political systems, all of which contribute to health inequities by determining access to health-promoting resources and opportunities. Structural determinants are the root causes behind the observed disparities in social determinants of health, such as education, employment, housing, and healthcare access, thereby playing a critical role in shaping health inequities across different populations.

Systemic Hate

Systemic hate refers to the structural and institutionalized forms of discrimination, prejudice, and oppression that target specific groups based on their identity, such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. It manifests through policies, practices, and cultural norms that uphold inequities and perpetuate harm against marginalized communities.

Systemic Racism

Systemic racism (also known as institutional racism) is a concept whereby social structures produce inequalities based on racial discrimination. Racialized people thus face challenges due to racism from both individuals and institutions (health, education, penal system, etc.). Systemic racism is a concept different from that of individual racism.⁸⁸

Trauma

trauma refers to the psychological, emotional, and social impact of deeply distressing or harmful experiences that overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope. Trauma can result from a single event, prolonged exposure to adversity, or systemic oppression, such as racism, poverty, or colonialism. It may also have intergenerational effects, influencing families and communities over time.

Trauma Approach and Trauma Informed Practice

A strengths-based framework grounded in an understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma. It emphasizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety for everyone and creates opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.⁸⁹

Transference and Counter Transference

Transference occurs when a service user unconsciously redirects or transfers feelings, emotions, or behaviours they have developed in past relationships onto the social worker. These feelings often stem from unresolved experiences or dynamics with significant individuals in their lives, such as family members or caregivers. In social work practice, recognizing transference is essential, as it can impact the therapeutic relationship and the effectiveness of interventions. Social workers must be attuned to these dynamics to maintain objectivity and ensure appropriate professional boundaries.

Counter-transference refers to the emotional reactions, thoughts, or behaviours that a social worker may unconsciously develop toward a service user, often influenced by the social worker’s own past experiences or personal triggers. This can include both positive and negative feelings, which, if not acknowledged and managed, can cloud judgement and interfere with professional boundaries or decision-making. Social workers need to remain self-aware and reflective to identify counter-transference and address it through supervision or professional consultation to maintain ethical and effective practice

Vicarious Trauma

Describes the transformation of a social worker’s view of the world due to the cumulative exposure to traumatic images, stories, and experiences. Social workers experience intrusive thoughts, imagery, and difficulty ridding themselves of the traumatic experiences recounted by Service Users.

³⁵ Barker, Robert L. The Social Work Dictionary, 4th ed. (Washington, DC: NASW Press, 1999).

³⁶ The terms Africentric and Afrocentric are sometimes used interchangeably in literature and practice. In this document, we use Africentric as the primary term, except when quoting or referencing sources that specifically use Afrocentric. Readers may encounter both spellings throughout the text for this reason.

³⁷ Asante, M.K. Afrocentricity: The Theory of Social Change. (Buffalo, NY: African American Images, 1980).

³⁸ Mullings, Delores; Clarke, Jennifer; Bernard, Wanda Thomas; Este, David; Giwa, Sulaimon. Africentric Social Work. (Halifax and Winnipeg: Fernwood Publishing Canada, 2021).

³⁹ Pellebon, Dwain A. “An Analysis of Afrocentricity as Theory for Social Work Practice”, Advances in Social Work 8, no. 1 (Spring 2007): 171. Pp.169-183

⁴⁰ Daniels, Jean E. “Africentric Social Work Practice: The New Approach for Social Work Practice Intervention in the 21st Century,” International Social Work 44, no. 3 (2001): 301-309.

⁴¹ Daniels, Jean E. “Africentric Social Work Practice: The New Approach for Social Work Practice Intervention in the 21st Century,” International Social Work 44, no. 3 (2001): 301-309.

⁴² Gilbert, Harvey, and Belgrave, “Advancing the Africentric Paradigm Shift Discourse”, Social Work 54, no. 3 (July 2009): 243-252.

⁴³ Nashon, Anderson, and Wright, “Editorial Introduction: African Ways of Knowing, Worldviews and Pedagogy,” Journal of Contemporary Issues in Education 2, no.2 (2007): 1-6. pp. 1-6.

⁴⁴ Mabvurira, V., “Making Sense of African Thought in Social Work Practice in Zimbabwe: Towards Professional Decolonisation,” International Social Work 63, no.4 (2020): 421 https://doi-org.proxy1.lib.uwo.ca/10.1177/0020872818797997

⁴⁵ Mullings, Delores; Clarke, Jennifer; Bernard, Wanda Thomas; Este, David; Giwa, Sulaimon. Africentric Social Work. (Halifax and Winnipeg: Fernwood Publishing Canada, 2021).

⁴⁶ Oyeniran, C. “Anti-Black Racism in Canada”, in The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2022, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/anti-black-racism-in-canada.

⁴⁷ Canadian Pediatric Society, Medical Decision-Making in Pediatrics: Infancy to Adolescence (Position Statement), https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/medical-decision-making-in-paediatrics-infancy-to-adolescence.

⁴⁸ Government of Nova Scotia, Personal Health Information Act: Chapter 4 – Consent, Capacity and Substitute Decision-Makers , revised Nov 1, 2013, https://novascotia.ca/DHW/PHIA/

⁴⁹ Mathieu, F. The Compassion Fatigue Workbook. (New York: Routledge, 2012).

⁵⁰ Etchells, E.; G. Sharpe; C. Elliott and P. Singer.”Bioethics for Clinicians: 3: Capacity,” Canadian Medical Association Journal 155 (1996): 657–661

⁵¹ Turmaud, D, “What Is Collective Trauma? How It Could Be Impacting Us,” Psychology Today, May 23, 2020.

⁵² Government of Nova Scotia, Personal Health Information Act, 2024, https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/personal%20health%20information.pdf

⁵³ Ordre Professionnel des travaileurs sociaux du Quebec, Core Competencies of Social Workers (Montreal, PQ, 2005), as cited in Lisa Crockwell, “The Ethics of Competence,” Practice Matters, November 2012, https://nlcsw.ca/wp-content/uploads/Practice_Matters_Competence.pdf.

⁵⁴ Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW), Social Worker Regulations Made under Section [20] of the Social Workers Act (November 2021), https://nscsw.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SW-Regulations-Updated-November-2021.pdf.

⁵⁵ Nova Scotia College of Nursing, Continuing Competence Program, https://www.nscn.ca/professional-practice/continuing-competence/continuing-competence-program.

⁵⁶ National Association of Social Workers, Standards for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice (Washington, DC: National Association of Social Workers, 2001); Indicators for the Achievement of the NASW Standards for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice (Washington, DC: National Association of Social Workers, 2007).

⁵⁷ Ibid

⁵⁸ Ward, C. Branch, C. Fridkin, A. (2016) “What is Indigenous Cultural Safety—and Why Should I Care About It?” Visions Journal 11, no.4 (2016), published by BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information, 29 https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/sites/default/files/visions-indigenous-people-vol11.pdf

⁵⁹ Klaver, K & Baart, A, “Attentiveness in Care: Towards

⁶⁰ Government of Canada, Guide on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Terminology, TERMIUM Plus®, Language Portal of Canada, https://noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca.

⁶¹ New Brunswick Association of Social Workers (NBASW), Standards Regarding Telehealth Services, the Use of Technology and Social Work Practice (2020), https://www.nbasw-atsnb.ca/assets/Uploads/Standards-Regarding-Telehealth-Services-EN.pdf.

⁶² Government of Canada, Guide on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Terminology, TERMIUM Plus®, Language Portal of Canada, https://noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca.

⁶³ American Psychological Association, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Framework (2021), https://www.apa.org/about/apa/equity-diversity-inclusion/framework

⁶⁴ Human Rights Campaign Foundation (n.d.), “Professional Resources: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Definitions of Family”, https://www.thehrcfoundation.org/professional-resources/lgbtq–inclusive-definitions-of-family, paras. 1-2.

⁶⁵ University of Western Ontario, Western Centre for School Mental Health (n.d.). Building Capacity to Work with 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth: Understanding Concepts and Terminology, from https://www.csmh.uwo.ca/docs/HRP-for-2SLGBTQIA-Concepts-and-Terminology.pdf, p. 10.

⁶⁶ An Act to Dismantle Racism and Hate, S.N.S. 2022, c. 3, s. 2a, 2022, https://nslegislature.ca/bill-details/legislation/act-to-dismantle-racism-and-hate.

⁶⁷ Canadian Human Rights Commission, retrieved from https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/en/about-human-rights/what-are-human-rights

⁶⁸ Government of Nova Scotia. Human Rights Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 214, as amended by 1991, c. 12; 2007, c. 11; 2007, c. 14, s. 6; 2007, c. 41; 2008, c. 59; 2012, c. 51; 2016, c. 4, s. 21. https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/human%20rights.pdf

⁶⁹ Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA), Consent: A Guide for Canadian Physicians, 4th ed., May 2006, updated April 2021, https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/advice-publications/handbooks/consent-a-guide-for-canadian-physicians#capacity%20to%20consent.

⁷⁰ United Nations, “What Is Domestic Abuse,” https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/what-is-domestic-abuse.

⁷¹ Al-Faham, H., Davis, A., and Ernst, R., “Intersectionality: From Theory to Practice,” Annual Review of Law and Social Science 15 (2019):. 247-–265, https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-lawsocsci-101518-042942.

⁷² United Nations Sustainable Development Group, Leave No One Behind (2022), https://unsdg.un.org/2030-agenda/universal-values/leave-no-one-behind.

⁷³ Weinberg, M. “Moral Distress: A Missing but Relevant Concept for Ethics in Social Work,” Canadian Social Work Review 26, no. 2 (2009).

⁷⁴ Government of Canada, Guide on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Terminology, TERMIUM Plus®, Language Portal of Canada, https://noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca.

⁷⁵ National Association of Social Workers, Encyclopedia of Social Work, https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.305.

⁷⁶ Cooper, Frank, Professional Boundaries in Social Work and Social Care: A Practical Guide to Understanding, Maintaining and Managing Your Professional Boundaries (2012), https://bhdp.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb716/files/boundaries_for_carers.pdf

⁷⁷ An Act to Dismantle Racism and Hate, S.N.S. 2022, c. 3, s. 2a, 2022, https://nslegislature.ca/bill-details/legislation/act-to-dismantle-racism-and-hate.

⁷⁸ Whitney, Elizabeth, “Resilience for Social Workers: How to Increase Flexibility, Energy, and Engagement in the Face of Challenge,” The New Social Worker, 2017.

⁷⁹ Antabe, Roger; Miller, Desmond; Kohoun, Bagnini; Okonufua, Osagie; Husbands, Winston, “Black Resilience: A Strategic Asset for Engaging Heterosexual Black Canadian Men in Community Responses to HIV,” Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 9(2022): 756-766 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-021-01011-w.

⁸⁰ Banchani, E., Naidoo, K., Okonta, N., and Busulwa, P. Black Joy: Resistance, Resilience, and What It Means to Black Canadian Youth Experiencing Homelessness (2023), Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, https://www.homelesshub.ca/resource/black-joy-resistance-resilience-and-what-it-means-black-canadian-youth-experiencing-homelessness.

⁸¹ Dickey, Sabrina L. Ai, Amy L.; Hawkins, C.; Clark, I. Wedenoja, M.; Boone, K.; Raney, A.. “Psychosocial and Physical Challenges from a Natural Hazard: Implications for Resilience in the Black Community,” Natural Hazards Review 24, no. 2 (2023): 04023003.

⁸² Mathieu, F. The Compassion Fatigue Workbook. (New York: Routledge, 2012).

⁸³ Regehr, C. and B. J. Antle, “Coercive Influences: Informed Consent and Court-Mandated Social Work Practice,” Social Work 42, no. 3 (1997): 300–306.

⁸⁴ Raise the Village and Well Living House, “Indigenous Outcomes: Outcome 5 – Self Determination,” (n.d.), https://raisingthevillage.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Outcome5-Self-Determination.pdf

⁸⁵ Canadian Council on Social Development, Children and Youth Crime Prevention: Social Challenges – Social Exclusion, n.d., http://ccsd.ca/resources/CrimePrevention/c_exclusion.htm

⁸⁶ Reading, C., and Wein, F., Health Inequalities and Social Determinants of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health (Prince George, BC: National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health, 2013), https://www.ccnsa-nccah.ca/docs/determinants/RPT-HealthInequalities-Reading-Wien-EN.pdf

⁸⁷ Atteberry Ash, Brittanie, “Defining Social Justice,” University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, 2020, https://socialwork.du.edu/news/defining-social-justice.

⁸⁸ Souissi, T., “Systemic Racism in Canada”, in The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2022, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/systemic-racism

⁸⁹ British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development, Healing Families, Helping Systems: A Trauma-Informed Practice Guide for Working with Children, Youth and Families (2017), https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/child-teen-mental-health/trauma-informed_practice_guide.pdf.