Professional Conduct Investigations & Regulatory Consulting
Our Services
Independent, trauma-informed investigations for regulators and employers.
We bring expertise across the full complaint process—from intake to resolution—with clear documentation, skilled interviewing, and defensible findings.
We specialize in high-risk, sensitive cases, including:
• Sexual misconduct
• Boundary violations
• Ethical breaches
Our approach prioritizes fairness, neutrality, and procedural integrity. We work with professionalism and care to ensure all parties are treated with respect while maintaining the investigative rigour required for sound decision-making.
We tailor each investigation to align with your legislative framework, organizational policies, and expectations for public protection.
Investigations
Conversations That Matter: Workshops for Ethical, Effective, and Relational Communication:
Strong communication is foundational to ethical, trauma-informed, and accountable practice—especially in roles that involve care, power, or conflict. Conversations That Matter is a suite of professional development workshops designed for regulated professionals, frontline teams, supervisors, and regulatory bodies who want to deepen their communication skills, reduce harm, and respond more effectively in complex interpersonal situations.
Grounded in over 17 years of frontline social work and regulatory leadership, these sessions combine real-world application with reflective practice—offering practical tools for clearer, calmer, and more intentional conversations with both clients and colleagues.
Workshops and Training
Remdial Supervision
Individualized, trauma-informed supervision for regulated professionals following a disciplinary outcome or conduct concern.
Our approach supports professionals required to engage in reflective practice, with a focus on:
• Boundary violations
• Ethical decision-making
• Professional judgment
We provide structured, independent supervision that aligns with regulatory expectations and promotes meaningful insight, accountability, and ethical growth. This service is especially valuable when internal supervision is not appropriate or when added neutrality and subject-matter expertise are required.
Our goal is to help professionals rebuild insight, restore trust, and return to safe, competent practice with clarity, confidence, and care. All progress is clearly documented to support regulatory oversight.
About VJH Regulatory Consulting
VJH Regulatory Consulting is led by Valerie Heard, MSW, RSW—a regulatory investigator, consultant, and registered social worker with a background in both senior leadership and front-line community practice.
Valerie brings direct experience in professional regulation and complaints management, alongside a broader career in social work service delivery. In addition to her consulting work, Val holds a senior role at a provincial regulatory body, where she leads the full complaints and discipline process—from intake to resolution—and supports committees with policy interpretation, investigative oversight, and training.
She specializes in high-risk, sensitive matters such as sexual misconduct, boundary violations, and ethical breaches. Her work is grounded in procedural fairness, trauma-informed practice, and a deep commitment to public protection and professional accountability.
With degrees in Psychology and Social Work (BSW and MSW), Val brings both academic grounding and lived experience in navigating complex systems. Her approach is principled, relational, and focused on creating safer, more ethical professional environments.
Through VJH Regulatory Consulting, Val offers independent investigations, complaint process support, and remedial supervision tailored to the needs of regulators, employers, and professional associations. She believes in values-driven practice, clear communication, and the power of fair process to restore trust and support meaningful accountability
Contact Us
VJH Regulatory Consulting is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and serves clients across Atlantic Canada. We are happy to connect virtually or in person (when possible).
Contact Valerie Heard at vheard@regulatoryconsulting.com to discuss your needs or to learn more about the services we offer.