Lisa Kostakis

Following earlier findings of professional misconduct, the discipline panel conducted a penalty and costs hearing by videoconference.

The parties presented a joint submission seeking a reprimand, revocation of registration, a five-year bar on re-application or reinstatement, publication, and fixed costs.

The panel accepted the joint submission, holding that the proposed order served public protection, maintained confidence in professional regulation, and advanced specific and general deterrence.

The panel considered revocation appropriate for sexual abuse or sexual misconduct findings and approved agreed costs of $15,000 inclusive of HST.

In a professional discipline hearing, the panel found that a social work practicum student supervised by the member was a client within the meaning of the governing standards.

The panel accepted the student's evidence of repeated boundary violations, sexualized remarks, inappropriate personal conduct, and sexual touching occurring during and immediately after the placement relationship.

It held that the member failed to maintain professional boundaries, acted in a conflict of interest, and sexually abused a client within the statutory framework.

The panel further found the conduct dishonourable and unprofessional, though not disgraceful, and imposed a publication ban protecting the student's identity.

In this professional discipline decision, the panel found a social worker committed multiple acts of professional misconduct arising from family mediation, parenting coordination, and custody-access assessment work.

The admitted misconduct included acting beyond scope by using DSM-based diagnostic language, making unsubstantiated recommendations about clients and children, verbally abusing clients, prioritizing personal interests, using professional authority to harass or improperly influence clients, and failing to report child protection concerns forthwith under s. 72 of the Child and Family Services Act.

The panel held that the conduct contravened multiple provisions of the Professional Misconduct Regulation, the Act, and the College’s standards framework.

It accepted a joint penalty submission imposing a reprimand, a three-month suspension with one month remittable on compliance, remedial terms and conditions, publication, and $5,000 in costs.