Discipline Committee Notice: November 25, 2024
A Hearing of the Discipline Committee of the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers was held on November 25, 2024 to hear and determine a Complaint against a Member alleging professional misconduct. Specifically, the Member failed to cooperate with the Complainant, a community partner, thereby not acting in the best interests of his clients.
The Discipline Committee rendered a decision on the merits and determined that the Member is guilty of professional misconduct because of, inter alia:
a) the Respondent breached his obligations to collaborate with the Complainant and gather information in the best interest of the client(s). The Respondent breached s. 1.1.1, 1.1.4, 3.2.1 and 3.2.2 of the Code of Ethics;
b) the Respondent did not collaborate with the Complainant with respect, integrity and courtesy by ignoring and dismissing the Complainant and her numerous attempts to contact him. The Respondent breached s. 3.1.1. of the Code of Ethics;
c) the Respondent avoided collaboration with other professionals and uses “confidentiality” as a shield. The Respondent breached s. 1.1.4 of the Code of Ethics;
d) the Respondent breached s. 4.1.4 of the Code of Ethics as he did “not work toward the best possible standards of service” and was not “accountable to his practice” when he failed to collaborate with the Complainant.
Following a determination that the Respondent was guilty of professional misconduct, the Respondent acknowledged and agreed that his misconduct is deserving of sanctions by the Committee.
To summarize, during the Hearing of May 5, 2025, the Discipline Committee accepted the proposed discipline sanctions:
1. Written reprimand to be placed in the Respondent’s file for a period of 5 years;
2. Payment of a fine of $1,000.00;
3. Payment of cost of $5,000.00;
4. To complete an assignment in the form of continuing education; and
5. Summary and publication of the proceedings, without names, for the education of the membership.