Local non-profit head issued an interim order by BCCSW

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW) has issued the head of a local non-profit an interim order. 

The interim decision, dated April 24th, was issued to Lisa Jewell, who was temporarily banned from social work with minors while she awaited a hearing on allegations on February 25th. 

Jewell is the head of the Wellness Truth and Families Foundation, which specializes in helping women and families rebuild from domestic violence and traumatic situations. 

Under the Social Workers Act, the inquiry committee considers action is necessary to protect the public during the investigation of a registrant or pending a hearing of the discipline committee, and it may take such action without providing the registrant an opportunity to make submissions. 

The interim decision said the college received complaints related to Jewell’s engagement with underage high-risk youth. The complaints include allegations of an unsafe environment due to violence and substance use, isolation and breach of privacy. 

The inquiry committee found a “real risk of imminent harm to vulnerable youth” if Jewell continues to provide services to them or has them live in her home. 

The committee determined “no conditions short of maintaining the complete prohibition” on the registrant providing services to youth is sufficient to protect against the risk of harm. 

According to the order by the inquiry committee, Jewell must not practice social work or provide any form of social work to minors, both individually and in a group setting. 

She is prohibited from having any minors, other than her own children, living with her, and she must meet with a supervising social worker twice a month, who must be registered with the college. 

In addition, she must provide the college with the name and contact information of the supervising social worker, and the college is entitled to conduct spot audits to confirm she is meeting with said social worker. 

Also, if the social worker is unable to continue, Jewell must immediately notify the college and stop her social work practice.

Jewell had previously, through her legal counsel, told Energeticcity.ca she had no comments on the allegations. 

To read the whole interim order, see below.