What happens if a complaint is referred to the Inquiry Committee?

A complaint may be referred to the Inquiry Committee, which is made up of members of the College and members of the public. The role of the Inquiry Committee panel is to hear and determine any allegations of professional misconduct or incompetence on the part of a member of the College. If a matter is referred to the Inquiry Committee, there will be a formal hearing of the complaint.

Complainants may have to testify as a witness at a disciplinary hearing.

What decisions can be made by the Inquiry Committee?

• If the Inquiry Committee panel finds that the member is not guilty of Unprofessional Conduct, it shall dismiss the charge.
• Where the Inquiry Committee panel finds that the member is guilty of Unprofessional Conduct, it may, according to Section 52(1) of the Act:
  • 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 counseling or treatment
  • Cancel the Certificate of Registration