Social Worker Removed Over ‘Grossly Offensive Website’

A Conduct Committee of the General Social Care Council (GSCC) has decided the case of a social worker from Lincoln who was alleged to have breached the code of practice for social care workers by maintaining a grossly offensive website as well as possessing indecent photographs of children.

Misconduct was found against the registrant, John Bennett, and he was removed from the Social Care Register. It was the Committee’s view that, in the circumstances, the removal of Mr Bennett’s registration was the only appropriate sanction in order to protect the public and maintain the public’s confidence in social care services.

Registrants have a right of appeal to the independent Care Standards Tribunal.

GSCC Chair Rodney Brooke Said: “Social workers have a duty to act appropriately at all times, respecting the rights of service users and protecting them from abuse as set out in our Codes of Practice for Social Care Workers and Employers. All Registered Social Workers sign up to the codes of practice when they register with the GSCC.

“Social workers working with vulnerable children essentially should be trustworthy and of good character.  The GSCC exists to promote high standards among social care workers and can take action against those who do not meet the standards laid down in the codes of practice. At the same time, we applaud the many thousands of social care workers who meet those standards and do so much to help vulnerable people.”

Removal from the register means that the person will not be able to work as a social worker.