Ontario SW Found Guilty of Professional Misconduct: Examining Practice Issues

I find it a bit odd that a media release was sent out about the finding of misconduct, but I received one & thought this was an opportunity to examine this case. It raises some very important issues and I would encourage readers to take the time to read the full decision here.

Some of the relevant practice issues include the following:

• Providing supervision, guidance and support to a Masters of SW student completing a field placement under the named SW;
• Discharge care planning and assessment of patient needs as a hospital SW;
• Failure to properly document case management work and relevant patient information pertaining to critical incidents; 
• Failure to develop a crisis care plan for the at-risk client;
• Failure to arrange for another social worker to follow up with the client while the SW went on holidays;
• Lack of awareness of and familiarity with the Hospital’s policies;
• Making arrangements and then disbursing clients funds directly to the client and failing to consider issues of potential personal liability or the liability of the Hospital; 
• Receipt or retention of deceased client's funds and failure to turn this over to the Hospital;
• Failure to appropriately document her client contacts and to properly maintain the clinical record at the Hospital;

Discipline Committee Finds Former Social Worker Guilty of Professional Misconduct

TORONTO, Feb. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - The Discipline Committee of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers has found Gail T. Flintoft guilty of professional misconduct. Ms. Flintoft was found to have violated sections 2.2, 2.2.8, 2.36, 2.4, 2.10, 2.20, and 2.28 of Ontario Regulation 384/00 (Professional Misconduct) for conduct or actions in regard to 25 identified clients to whom Ms. Flintoft provided social work services, and to her failure to fulfill her responsibilities as a supervisor to a Master of Social Work student.

In its decision, the Discipline Committee ordered that Ms. Flintoft be reprimanded in person, that the fact and nature of the reprimand be recorded on the College Register, that the findings and order of the Discipline Committee (or a summary thereof) be published, with identifying information concerning Ms. Flintoft on the general newswire, additionally in any other manner necessary to alert regulators in the other provinces, and that the results of the hearing be recorded on the Register. 

A summary of the Committee's decision is available on the College's website at www.ocswssw.org. 

About the College

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers regulates the practice of social work and social service work in Ontario.  The College ensures professional and public accountability for the thousands of registered social workers and registered social service workers in our province. Professionals who wish to use the title "social worker" or "social service worker" can only do so if they are registered with the College.  Registration is also required if you represent yourself or hold yourself out as a "social worker" or "social service worker."

SOURCE: Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers

For further information: Glenda McDonald, M.S.W., RSW, Registrar
(416) 972-9882 ext. 201
gmcdonald@ocswssw.org

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Discipline Committee Decision Summary

2012/02/13

The Discipline Committee of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers found that Gail T. Flintoft, Former Member, is guilty of professional misconduct in that she violated section 2.2, 2.2.8, 2.36, 2.4, 2.10, 2.20, and 2.28 of Ontario Regulation 384/00 (Professional Misconduct) made under the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, and Principles I, II, III, IV and V of the Standards of Practice Handbook (commented on Interpretations 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.2, 1.7, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.5, 2.2, 2.2.1, 2.2.8, 2.2.9, 3.2, 4.1.1, 4.1.3, 4.1.6, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, and 5.2).

Download the College's Discipline Committee Decision Summary. 

By publishing this summary, the College endeavours to:

• illustrate for social workers, social service workers and members of the public, what does or does not constitute professional misconduct;
• provide social workers and social service workers with direction about the College’s standards of practice and professional behaviour, to be applied in future, should they find themselves in similar circumstances;
• implement the Discipline Committee’s decision; 
• and provide social workers, social service workers and members of the public with an understanding to the College’s discipline process.