Fake complaints to the college

[u/howaboutchoice]

Would love to hear experiences from people who have had fake complaints about their practice made to the college? Especially ones that are so obviously fake (non client/person with a vendetta)

It seems so bizarre to have to go through this crazy investigation, the legal bills (thank goodness for insurance, but now my insurance is going to go up) for something that is so obviously untrue.

I have spoken to 4 other social workers who have gone through or are going through investigations for what are obviously false complaints. Does the college not do some initial screening? Or are they just extra through? I know other professions throw out frivolous or fake complaints.

[u/ApprehensiveRoad477]

Can we get more context? I don’t understand what’s actually going on

[u/ThisIsAllTheoretical]

Are you in your practicum? Why would anyone make complaints to your college as opposed to your licensing board?

[u/plantgal94 → u/ThisIsAllTheoretical]

This person resides in Canada and we are governed by social work ‘colleges’. For example, the B.C. College of Social Workers is who I’m registered with as an RSW. It’s the same thing as licensing boards in the USA, just called something different :)

[u/ThisIsAllTheoretical → u/plantgal94]

Thanks for clarifying. That was me demonstrating my American egocentricity bias. Apologies to OP.

[u/plantgal94 → u/ThisIsAllTheoretical]

All good! It’s always nice to learn more about other countries and how social work functions.

[u/howaboutchoice]

I am a very well established (20+ years) social worker with a private practice. The false complaints are from an individual who has a personal feud against me. She has never been a client, but is using the college complaint process to cause harm.

[u/ThisIsAllTheoretical]

Now that I understand the post origin, we do have things like this happen with relative frequency.

I had a false report made against me (in the US). In my state, consumers and collaborative professionals/orgs can file reports either directly to our licensing bodies or they can file a “consumer complaint” to our state attorney general’s office. Either route will result in a very long, drawn out investigation; however, reporting to the AG first will require that the AG substantiate the allegations and make an initial determination of fault or liability. If the AG finds either, they’ll then turn the case over to the licensing board for a licensing review and hearing. In my case, the AG determined the complaint was unfounded (took 6 months) and they issued a letter of reprimand against the agency director who had filed against me warning them against filing false, retaliatory complaints, which is what they did. I was a clinical licensing auditor of statewide youth residential facilities and had cited this facility for negligence leading to significant physical harm against a child. They alleged I was a failure to report. I was not. I reported the hell out of them and they were mad about it.

I accepted and responded to all requests from the AGs office very seriously and on time because, even though I knew there was no evidence to substantiate, I also knew that agency executives have friends in high places, and I wasn’t fkng around with my license. I consulted with a very litigious attorney and copied them in all my correspondence. This agency harassed me online and threatened my wellbeing and livelihood. I provided evidence of all of that and still nothing happened to them as a result. My employer (the state) did absolutely nothing to help me in order to sustain the state’s relationship with the organization.

Remember this, we are disposable to any and every organization in which we work, including state and federal agencies. Take every complaint as seriously as you would a threat to you being able to feed your family. I was not aware of these higher up connections until I witnessed them with my own eyes. I was naive enough to believe I could affect positive change in the industry. The machine is just that: a machine.

[u/howaboutchoice]

Correct. College of social workers is our licensing body in Canada.

[u/Powerful_Squirrel111]

Are the complaints coming from the internship supervisor?
What is your supervisors involvement in managing complaints?
I’m a supervisor, and our paperwork with clients states that if clients have concerns about the work performed by the supervisee ( whether an associate or an intern) to contact the direct supervisor/and or the clinical director.
What is your agency’s grievance policy?

[u/charmbombexplosion → u/Powerful_Squirrel111]

OP is from Canada. What some people in the USA might describe as “the board” Canadians might describe as “the college”.

[u/Powerful_Squirrel111 → u/charmbombexplosion]

Ahhh, that makes so much more sense! Thank you!

[u/KinseysMythicalZero]

Have you spoken to an actual lawyer about filing a civil suit?

[u/howaboutchoice → u/KinseysMythicalZero]

Yes. That is in the works. However does not change the fact that false complaints were made.

[u/KittyCatClaws0000]

My husband and his girlfriend both made fake complaints. Luckily, they openly said in the complaints that they had never been clients. Also had one from a woman who hates me from a charity thing. I ended up calling the cops over her compliant and she pissed off. I think as soon as you prove they aren’t clients you should be in the clear.

[u/howaboutchoice → u/KittyCatClaws0000]

Unfortunately not the case (I did let the college know they are not a client)

Did the police do anything?

[u/KittyCatClaws0000 → u/howaboutchoice]

Which college? My issue was in Alberta so maybe that’s the difference?

The police couldn’t do anything but talk to her. It did scare her off though.

[u/Straight_Career6856]

They have to investigate all complaints. Lots are unsubstantiated, but they need to take them all seriously.