Mental health practitioner Wendell Foster banned from providing mental health services over sexual relationship with a client

An Adelaide mental health practitioner has been banned after having a sexual relationship with a client too soon after treating them.

A mental health practitioner has been banned indefinitely for having a sexual relationship with a former client.

Wendell Foster was found to have started a consensual relationship “too soon” with a former client.

Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner Associate Professor Grant Davies said his investigation found Mr Foster’s relationship was in breach of the Health and Community Services code of conduct.

“It is therefore my belief it is appropriate for Mr Foster to be indefinitely prohibited,” Professor Davies said.

“During the course of our investigation, Mr Foster informed the HCSCC he was not aware of the Code.”

Clause 15(3) of the code of conduct states that “a health care worker should ensure that a reasonable period of time has elapsed since the conclusion of the therapeutic relationship before engaging in a sexual relationship with a client”.

Mr Foster must legally abide by the prohibition order or he could be prosecuted with a fine of up to $10,000 or be sentenced by the courts to two years jail or both.

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