Step 1: File a Complaint
Complaints must be submitted in writing and include the following: the name and contact information of the person making the complaint, a description of the social worker’s actions, the dates, times, and locations of the events, and any supporting documents.
Step 2: Review
College staff will check the complaint form to make sure it’s complete and meets the guidelines for acceptance. If it does, it will be sent to the Complaints Committee for further review.
Step 3: Decision
The Complaints Committee makes a Decision
Under the Social Work Profession Act, Sections 30(1) and 31(1), the Complaints Committee has the authority to take any of the following actions:
- Resolve the matter informally
- Direct the matter to the Inquiry Committee
- Accept the voluntary surrender of the Member’s registration
- Censure the Member (formal reprimand)
- Refer the matter to mediation
- Enter into an Agreement with the Member
Length of Complaints process – It can take several months to investigate and review a complaint before a decision is made, depending on how complicated the complaint is.
Dismissal of a Complaint – A complaint may be dismissed if there isn’t enough evidence to support it or if the allegations do not count as unprofessional conduct, even if they are true. If a complaint is dismissed, both the person who made the complaint and the social worker will be notified in writing.
Step 4: Right to Appeal
Complainants who disagree with a decision made by the College Complaints Committee have the right to appeal.
- Decisions that can be appealed include: dismissal of a complaint, censure of the Member, or entering into an agreement with the Member.
- Decisions that cannot be appealed include: referral to Inquiry Committee, voluntary surrender of Member’s registration, and if the matter has been resolved by mediation.
A written notice of appeal must be submitted to the College within 30 days of when the complainant is informed of the decision.
If there is an appeal, an Appeal Panel from the Board of Directors will review whether the Complaints Committee made any mistakes in their decision based on the information available at the time the Committee decision was made.
Once a decision has been made by the Appeal Panel, the case is closed.