Article contentA Nova Scotia social worker has been suspended under a settlement agreement reached with the province’s governing body.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe Nova Scotia College of Social Workers received letters of complaint in June of 2022 regarding the conduct of social worker Philip Patey of Halifax. After a long investigation process, a settlement agreement was reached that sees Patey’s registration suspended.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentPatey was under interim restrictions imposed by the college pending the completion of its investigation. After that work ended, the colleges held a discipline hearing in February. It released the results Friday evening.Article contentArticle contentPatey, who had no prior complaints or discipline history with the college, was sanctioned for actions involving a former client four years ago.Article contentAt that time he hadn’t worked with the woman since 2016, when she was 16 years old. In April of 2022, the decision says, Patey drove to meet the woman to take her to lunch. After he picked her up, she asked about seeing his dogs and he agreed to take her to his house for that purpose.Article contentThey were the only ones at the home when they arrived and the woman had not been inside before, the decision said. She played with the dogs and then asked to use the washroom as Patey prepared a meal at her request.Article contentHe gave her a tour of his home and offered a bag of clothing that he had been intending to donate to charity. He also told her he had once considered the possibility of adopting her.Article contentArticle contentThe woman sked Patey if he thought she could ever come live with him at his house, to which he responded that he didn’t think so but, if it was something she was serious about, he would have to discuss it with his wife.Article contentHe told her it could be a short-term living arrangement to get her back on her feet.Article contentThe topic didn’t come up again, but Patey said in the investigation that if it had, he would have been firmer in saying it was not something he could entertain.Article contentWhen driving the woman back to where he had picked her up, Patey stopped at a pharmacy at her request and bought shampoo and conditioner for her.Article contentHe suggested they could meet again for lunch but that didn’t happen, and their communication with each other ended in late May of that year.Article contentPatey denied having any inappropriate feelings towards the womanArticle contentPatey admitted to the facts, which supported findings of professional misconduct, conduct unbecoming, and a breach of the standards of practice or code of ethics.
Halifax social worker suspended for inappropriate conduct with former client
