NSCSW Lunch & learn:  Intuition, bias & ethics in social work practice

Nova Scotia College of Social Workers

This session led by a NSCSW BSW practicum student explores how intuition, perception & cognitive biases influence ethical decision making.

Social work ethics

Members of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers are required to complete annual professional development, which must include training related to social work ethics.

<p>Social work relies on observation, intuition, and experience, but these tools alone are limited by human perception and cognitive biases. This session explores how social workers in Nova Scotia can balance professional self-trust with ethical practice, evidence-based assessment, and accountability.</p><p>Participants will learn:</p><ul><li>How cognitive and perceptual biases can affect decision-making in social work.</li></ul><ul><li>How to use intuition and experience as preliminary data, not the sole basis for action.</li></ul><ul><li>Strategies for integrating ethical reflection, consultation, and multi-source assessment into daily practice.</li></ul><ul><li>How the NSCSW Code of Ethics guides professional judgment and client-centered interventions.</li></ul><p><br></p><h3><strong><strong>Objectives</strong></strong></h3><h4>Knowledge:</h4><ul><li>Understand how intuition, experience, and perception influence social work decisions.</li><li>Recognize cognitive biases and limits of observation and memory.</li></ul><h4>Skills:</h4><ul><li>Apply critical thinking to distinguish intuition from evidence.</li><li>Use reflective practice and multi-source assessment in interventions.</li></ul><h4>Values:</h4><ul><li>Reflect on assumptions and biases in practice.</li><li>Commit to ethical, client-centered, and culturally responsive decision-making.</li></ul><p><br></p><h3><strong><strong>Speaker</strong></strong></h3><p>My name is <strong><strong>Maedeh</strong></strong>, but you may call me Maya. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Iran and I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work at Cape Breton University in Sydney, Nova Scotia. I currently live in Halifax. This webinar has been developed based on my academic background in psychology and my ongoing studies in social work, aiming to integrate perspectives from both fields. I hope you find this webinar engaging and useful.</p><p><br></p><h3><strong><strong>Eligibility</strong></strong></h3><h4>NSCSW Members</h4><p>All active, associate, retired associate, and student members of the <a href="https://nscsw.org/" title="https://nscsw.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Nova Scotia College of Social Workers</a> are welcome to attend; our professional development programming is part of our member services funded by <a href="https://issuu.com/nscsw/docs/connection_spring2023_webfinal/42" title="https://issuu.com/nscsw/docs/connection_spring2023_webfinal/42" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">annual registration fees</a>.</p><h4>Community Partners</h4><p>All allied health practitioners in Nova Scotia/Mi'kma'ki interested in learning more about this topic are eligible to sign up for a <strong><strong>$5 partner ticket</strong></strong>; just let us know which profession you are a part of when you register.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3><strong><strong>Professional development tracking</strong></strong></h3><p>For members of NSCSW, participating in this event is eligible to fulfill the annual requirement for professional development related to <strong><strong>social work ethics</strong></strong>. Members who have already completed that requirement for the year may instead categorize this session as formal professional development.</p><p>Visit <a href="http://nscsw.org/pd" title="http://nscsw.org/pd" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">nscsw.org/pd</a> for more information about the updated professional development requirements for Nova Scotia social workers.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3><strong><strong>Foundations</strong></strong></h3><p>This session is related to several sections of the <a href="https://nscsw.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NSCSW-Code-of-Ethics-and-Standards-of-Practice-August-2025.pdf" title="https://nscsw.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NSCSW-Code-of-Ethics-and-Standards-of-Practice-August-2025.pdf" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">NSCSW Code of Ethics (2026)</a>:</p><h4><strong><strong>Value 1</strong></strong>: Respecting the Dignity and Worth of All People</h4><ul><li><strong><strong>Guiding Principle 1.1</strong></strong>: Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of all people, valuing equity, justice, freedom, and respect in their practice.</li></ul><ul><li><strong><strong>Guiding Principle 1.2</strong></strong>: Social workers promote the self-determination and autonomy of all people, including their right to participate in decisions about the services they receive.</li></ul><ul><li><strong><strong>Guiding Principle 1.7:</strong></strong> Social workers uphold the rights of all people to receive services that consider intersecting factors of exclusion and respect diversity, applying trauma informed and strength based approaches.</li></ul><h4><strong><strong>Value 2</strong></strong>: Promoting Social Justice</h4><ul><li><strong><strong>Guiding Principle 2.4:</strong></strong> Social workers advocate for the rights of individuals, families, groups, and communities to be free from oppression, exclusion, racism, and discrimination and work to address systemic inequities.</li></ul><h4><strong><strong>Value 7</strong></strong>: Providing Culturally Responsive Competent Professional Services</h4><ul><li><strong><strong>Guiding Principle 7.1:</strong></strong> Social workers are committed to ongoing professional development and delivering culturally responsive services, engaging in reflective practice and evidence informed approaches.</li></ul><ul><li><strong><strong>Guiding Principle 7.2</strong></strong>: Social workers practice within their competence and seek guidance or consultation when appropriate to ensure safe and ethical service delivery.</li></ul><ul><li><strong><strong>Guiding Principle 7.3</strong></strong>: Social workers contribute to the development of the profession through collaboration, mentorship, and ethical behaviour.</li></ul><ul><li><strong><strong>Guiding Principle 7.4</strong></strong>: Social workers support knowledge advancement in the profession through research, evaluation, and ethical dissemination of findings.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3><strong><strong>Questions?</strong></strong></h3><p>If you have questions about our professional development program content, please contact the College's Professional Development Consultant, Tyler Colbourne, at tyler.colbourne@nscsw.org.</p>

Pjila'si: Community of practice for Mi'kmaw & Indigenous Social Workers

NSCSW Workshop: Trauma & social justice informed anger management

Halifax North Memorial Public Library

NSCSW: The future of social work regulation in NS (Bridgewater)

Multi-Purpose Room,  Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre

NSCSW: The future of social work regulation in NS (Yarmouth)

Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Library , Yarmouth

NSCSW Webinar: Exploring anti-fat bias in Child & Family Wellbeing

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

NSCSW Lunch & learn: Intuition, bias & ethics in social work practice

More events from Nova Scotia College of Social Workers

Discover more events from Nova Scotia College of Social Workers, from Business to other experiences you might love.

Pjila'si: Community of practice for Mi'kmaw & Indigenous Social Workers

NSCSW Workshop: Trauma & social justice informed anger management

NSCSW: The future of social work regulation in NS (Bridgewater)

NSCSW: The future of social work regulation in NS (Yarmouth)

NSCSW Webinar: Exploring anti-fat bias in Child & Family Wellbeing

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all online events to browse and filter by date, category, and more.

NSCSW Lunch & learn: Intuition, bias & ethics in social work practice

More events from Nova Scotia College of Social Workers

Discover more events from Nova Scotia College of Social Workers, from Business to other experiences you might love.

Pjila'si: Community of practice for Mi'kmaw & Indigenous Social Workers

NSCSW Workshop: Trauma & social justice informed anger management

NSCSW: The future of social work regulation in NS (Bridgewater)

NSCSW: The future of social work regulation in NS (Yarmouth)

NSCSW Webinar: Exploring anti-fat bias in Child & Family Wellbeing

You might also like...

Browse more events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all online events to browse and filter by date, category, and more.