Can a complaint stop a children's aid society investigation?

No. The College addresses the individual's professional conduct. Complaints about the society itself go to the Child and Family Services Review Board, and protection decisions are for the court.

Is there a HPARB review?

No — social work is regulated outside the health professions regime, so HPARB does not apply. Judicial review is the remaining route.

The report to court about me was inaccurate.

Conduct and methodology can be a College matter. Correcting the record in the proceeding itself is separate and usually more urgent.

Ontario College of Social Workers — Complaints & Standards

Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

This College regulates social workers and social service workers in Ontario. Because many work in child protection, courts and healthcare, complaints frequently arise out of contested proceedings — and it is important to separate a complaint about professional conduct from disagreement with a decision made by a children's aid society or a court.

What it does

Registers social workers and social service workers
Investigates conduct, competence and capacity complaints
Sets standards on boundaries, consent and record-keeping
Refers matters to its Discipline Committee

Matters it hears

Conduct during child protection involvement
Accuracy and methodology of reports to courts or agencies
Boundary violations and dual relationships
Confidentiality and record-keeping failures

Appeals & review

This College is not under the health professions regime, so HPARB review does not apply. Complaints about a children's aid society's conduct go to the Child and Family Services Review Board; child protection decisions themselves are for the court.

Appeal and review deadlines are short and strictly applied. Treat the decision date as the start of a clock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a complaint stop a children's aid society investigation?: No. The College addresses the individual's professional conduct. Complaints about the society itself go to the Child and Family Services Review Board, and protection decisions are for the court.
Is there a HPARB review?: No — social work is regulated outside the health professions regime, so HPARB does not apply. Judicial review is the remaining route.
The report to court about me was inaccurate.: Conduct and methodology can be a College matter. Correcting the record in the proceeding itself is separate and usually more urgent.

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General information about jurisdiction and process, not legal advice. LegalCounselNearMe is not a law firm and is not affiliated with Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Procedures, forms and fees change — the official site is authoritative.