About the Tribunal
Social Workers Disciplinary Tribunal, Rōpū Whakawawao Tautohe Tauwhiro considers serious complaints about social workers usually when the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) refers a matter to it for a formal decision.
The Tribunal is an independent body and was established in April 2003 under the Social Workers Registration Act 2003. Before a complaint comes to the Tribunal, generally, the PCC or the Director of Proceedings will have considered it first. In serious cases, the PCC will refer the complaint to the Tribunal for a formal decision.
If a matter proceeds to a hearing, the Tribunal will schedule this after the required notice has been given and prehearing steps completed.
Five Tribunal members form a panel to hear the case that a lawyer, generally representing the PCC, presents against the social worker. The panel manages the hearing and provides a written decision.
The Tribunal panel includes:
- one chairperson, who is a lawyer
- three registered social workers
- one person who does not work in the social worker profession (a layperson).
Members of the Tribunal
About the Tribunal process
The social worker can represent themselves or may have a lawyer or representative to present their case.
Hearings are generally held in public, unless the Tribunal orders otherwise. The Tribunal can be asked to order the suppression of names or details if there are good reasons to do so.
Important links:
- Social Workers Registration Board
- Social Workers Registration Act 2003
- Code of Conduct
- Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers
- Code of Ethics
- Council for Social Work Education in Aotearoa New Zealand
- The Ombudsman
- What do I do if a complaint is made against me?
- What happens if a complaint goes to PCC?
- What happens if a case goes to the Tribunal?
- Complaints received by the Social Workers Registration Board