Former assistant director faces GSCC over sexual remarks

A former assistant director of children’s services, who allegedly tried to persuade a pregnant colleague to give up her baby and made inappropriate sexual remarks to staff, is facing removal from the professional register.

Douglas Adams, who was sacked as assistant director of children’s services at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council three years ago, is to appear before a General Social Care Council (GSCC) conduct hearing next week.

It is alleged he told a pregnant colleague at Barnsley council that “it would be easy to have an abortion because her pregnancy was not that far gone” and that having a baby would ruin her career.

He is also accused of making remarks to other female members of staff, such as: “I bet you take it up the arse.”

He allegedly told another colleague: “Oh yes, I can see you in a Miss Whiplash outfit with high leather boots.”

A spokesman for Barnsley council said: “Mr Adams was summarily dismissed for gross misconduct in August 2006. We have no further comment to make.”

The three-day hearing concludes on 20 January.

The General Social Care Council was recently criticised for delays in dealing with conduct cases. A Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence review last November found that at its peak 700 cases were being delayed.