Reporting to the College
As regulated health professionals, occupational therapists must meet professional standards and expectations. Occupational therapists work closely with the public. To maintain public trust, it is essential they practice ethically, safely and competently. If concerns arise, it’s the responsibility of registrants, employers, and other professionals to report so COTO may take appropriate action.
Accountability is key
COTO is here to make sure all members of the occupational therapy profession in Ontario follow the same rules. These rules help maintain a high level of care and professionalism across the field. They also ensure that all OTs meet specific qualifications and adhere to ethical guidelines. This consistency protects patients by giving them reliable and safe services. As well, it fosters trust within the community and healthcare partners.
There are a few different ways we hold the profession accountable for conduct:
Sending cases to Committee to determine if discipline or fitness to practise assessment is needed
Having OTs meet the duty to report possible child abuse or neglect
Having OTs and their employers file mandatory reports, in cases of possible professional misconduct, incompetence, incapacity or sexual abuse
Requiring OTs to self-report information that may be relevant to their suitability to practise
All publicly available information about occupational therapists in Ontario can be found in our public register.
Have you been notified of a concern or a complaint?
The College receives concerns from clients and their families, employers, other occupational therapists or health care practitioners, insurance companies, the police, and others. There are different levels of responses depending on how severe the concern is and the information we receive on it. If you’ve been notified of a concern or complaint, we understand it can be stressful and you’ll want to make sure you fully understand the process.
Understanding the complaints process
Complaints can be in writing, or an audio or video recording. Complaints can also be submitted through the College’s online complaint form. Contact investigations@coto.org for help or if you need accommodations.
Staff from the College will call the person who made the complaint to discuss the details of the complaint. College staff are neutral. They will listen and be in contact with both sides. The occupational therapist will get a copy of the complaint. Any information about the complaint will be shared with the occupational therapist.
All complaints are investigated. The College’s Investigations team or an external investigator will collect any relevant documents and speak to any relevant witnesses.
When the investigation is complete, all the collected information is sent to the occupational therapist so they can respond.
The College’s complaints committee will review all the information and make a decision. The person who made the complaint and the occupational therapist do not attend these meetings.
The complaints committee cannot:
- require an apology,
- take away the occupational therapist’s license,
- issue a monetary reward,
- require the occupational therapist to go back and fix the issue.
For more information about decisions the committee can make, visit: How the College Makes Decisions
Committee decisions can be appealed.
The person who made the complaint and occupational therapist can appeal if they do not agree with the committee’s decision. Once they receive the decision, they will get more information about how to appeal.
When you need to report a concern
Occupational therapists, their employers, and other regulated health professionals must be ready to report abuse or neglect of clients in the care of occupational therapists. Whether it’s self-reporting by the occupational therapist themselves, recognition of abuse by another OT, or mandatory report by an employer, the College takes all these reports very seriously. Learn more about your reporting requirements.
Inquiries, investigations and resolutions
Navigating concerns in the healthcare profession requires a clear understanding of the processes in place to ensure public safety and trust. We monitor whether our occupational therapists are able to continue to work. Our Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) and Investigations & Resolutions team use their expertise to shed light on common challenges and solutions uncovered during investigations.
Relevant resources
Next steps and contacts
Need to file a report?
See our online reporting page where you can file a complaint, including mandatory reports.
Need help or support?
We’re here to answer any questions you may have regarding occupational therapy practice.
Formal discipline actions
In the event that disciplinary action needs to take place, there are processes in place.