What happens if a complaint is referred to the Inquiry Committee?
A complaint may be sent to the Inquiry Committee, which includes College members and members of the public. The role of the Inquiry Committee is to hear and decide on allegations of professional misconduct or incompetence by a College member. If a case is referred to the Inquiry Committee, there will be a formal hearing of the complaint.
Referring a complaint to the Inquiry Committee does not mean a decision has been made yet.
Complainants may need to testify as witnesses at a disciplinary hearing.
What decisions can be made by the Inquiry Committee?
If the Inquiry Committee finds that the Member is not guilty of Unprofessional conduct, the charge will be dismissed.
Per Section 52(1) of the Social Work Profession Act, if the Inquiry Committee finds that the Member is guilty of unprofessional conduct, they may:
- Reprimand the Member
- Suspend the certificate of registration for a stated period
- Suspend the member’s Certificate of Registration until they have completed a specified course of studies or supervised practical experience or both, to the satisfaction of any person or committee that the panel may determine
- Accept in place of the suspension of the Certificate of Registration, the member’s undertaking to limit their practice
- Impose conditions on the member’s entitlement to practice social work, including conditions that they:
- Practice under supervision
- Report on specified matters to any person or committee that the panel may determine
- Require the member to satisfy a person or committee specified by the panel that a disability or addiction can be or has been overcome, and suspend the member’s Certificate of Registration until the person or committee is satisfied
- Require the member to take counselling or treatment
- Cancel the certificate of registration
Is there an Inquiry Appeals process?
Social workers can appeal a decision made by the Inquiry Committee panel to the Court of Appeal within 30 days of being notified of the decision.
Upcoming Hearings
Inquiring Hearing Notices
The Manitoba College of Social Workers serves the public interest. Inquiry hearings follow the Social Work Profession Act and are open to the public unless the Inquiry Panel decides to hold them privately. Section 43(4) of the Social Work Profession Act prevents the College from including the name of the member being investigated in the public notice of the hearing.
Information about scheduled hearings is updated as it becomes available. Dates of hearings are subject to change.
| Case # | Date/Time | Location | Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
Inquiry hearings are usually held at the College office at 101-2033 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, unless a different location is specified.
To register to attend an in-person or virtual hearing, contact the College at 204-888-9477 or info@mcsw.ca. Pre-registration is required at least 2 business days in advance of the hearing.
To register for an in-person or virtual hearing, contact the College at 204-888-9477 or info@mcsw.ca. You must pre-register at least 2 business days before the hearing.