Mrs Fiona Mary Pearce
Registration Number :
RSW15/D2/SWDT/2020
Charge details
Client A
1. Personally purchased melatonin supplements and provided these to Client A without prior medical advice or direction; and/or
2. Initially failed to store the supplements at work, instead bringing the supplements from home and supplying these to Client A herself; and/or
3. Failed to properly document and/or record that she was providing Client A with melatonin supplements, and/or the decision-making process around this:
Client B
1. Failed to check Client B’s medication chart to determine the correct dose of the controlled drug, Sevredol, to be provided, and then provided excess medication to Client B; and/or
2. Agreed with another staff member’s decision to alter Client B’s medication charts to falsely record that the drug had been provided at an earlier time and date; and/or
3. Failed to take proper follow-up action after recognising that excess medication had been administered to Client B, in particular by not notifying the on-call staff member of the incident; and/or Failed to properly document and/or record the incident; and/or
4. Improperly pressured Client B not to disclose the error
Result/Orders/Penalties
a. Mrs Pearce is censured
b. There is an order pursuant to section 83(1)((a)(iii) that Mrs Pearce may practise as a social worker only in accordance with the following condition: i. A condition requiring Mrs Pearce to provide a copy of the Tribunal’s written decision to any prospective or future employer of hers (in a social work role) for a period of not more than two years from the date of her resumption of practice; any such prospective or future employers will confirm to the Board that they have received the written decision; and
c. Mr Pearce is required to undergo additional professional development in personal and professional ethics, as approved by and to the satisfaction of the Board. The cost of the professional development is to be met by Mrs Pearce.
d. Ms Pearce is to pay $1,000 by way of a contribution towards the total costs and expenses of and incidental to the PCC inquiry and the prosecution of the Charge (section 83(1)(e)(ii) and (iii)) and $1000 by way of a contribution towards the total costs and expenses of and incidental to the Tribunal’s hearing (section 83(1)(e)(iv)).
Last updated
18 August 2026