Social Worker Admonished Following Conduct Hearing In London
A Conduct Committee of the General Social Care Council (GSCC) on 23 November 2007 decided the case of a social worker from Leeds who was alleged to have breached the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers.
Misconduct was found against the registrant, Mr Andrew Atkins, for forming an inappropriate and personal relationship with a person who uses services and by failing to immediately inform his employer and the Leeds Community Mental Health Service.
The Committee found:
by forming this personal relationship put the registrant and the person who uses services at unnecessary risk;
the registrant failed to inform his employer and the Leeds Community Mental Health Service, thereby failing both to work openly and co-operatively with colleagues and to communicate in an appropriate and open way; and
the registrant’s actions failed to uphold public trust and confidence in social care services.
However, the Committee also took into account that:
there was no harm, or exploitation of the person who uses services,
the registrant’s exemplary record over the course of his career and as a social worker; and
the registrant’s apologies and expressions of regret.
An admonishment was placed on the registrant’s entry to the register for nine months.
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.
“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.”
Admonishment by the GSCC amounts to a caution and public record. The decision follows a four day Conduct Committee hearing in London.
