Dewsbury social worker faces topless pics hearing

A SENIOR social worker is to face a disciplinary hearing over allegations he persuaded young offenders to pose topless. Christopher Hardman, a former manager with the Dewsbury-based youth offending team, is accused of offering young women money to pose naked and encouraging them to lie about their age.

The allegations, which relate to incidents between 2003 and March 2007, will be considered by the General Social Care Council at a four-day conduct hearing starting in London tomorrow.

If found guilty of misconduct he could be struck off or suspended from the social care register.

Hardman, who was a team leader for the Kirklees Council service, is alleged to have texted the young women, including one known as Ms B, using fake names and pretending to be from a model agency called Vamp.

He is also accused of sending letters to Ms B and encouraging her to attend nude and topless photo shoots for money.

Hardman is also alleged to have used his position as a social worker to gain information about her address, place of work and telephone numbers.

Hardman also faces allegations about another young offender, Ms C, and another girl, Ms D, whom he persuaded to pose topless together.

There are also accusations about two further girls, Ms E and Ms H.

Official papers also allege he was found in possession of cannabis in February 2006 for which he received a police caution.

A council spokesman said he was unable to comment on the case at this stage. However, he said Hardman had not worked for Kirklees Council since 2007.

A three-person panel will hear the case at the General Social Care Council’s head office in London.

The General Social Care Council is the professional standards body for the country’s 80,000 social workers.