Probe into conduct of Cumbrian social worker

A Cumbrian social worker is facing a formal hearing into allegations that she failed to declare she had social links with one of her clients.

The General Social Care Council (GSCC) hearing will investigate the professional conduct of Emma Grimshaw while she working for a Cumbria County Council.

The three-day hearing starts on Wednesday, at the Carlisle’s Hallmark Hotel, in Court Square.

The GSCC issued a summary of the allegations against Miss Grimshaw.

The statement said: “It is alleged that the registrant, [Miss Grimshaw] while employed as a social worker by Cumbria County Council in the Drug and Alcohol [Action] Team, did not alert her manager of a social link with a service user, Ms A, for whom she was the allocated social worker.

“This may have created a conflict of interest.

“Allegations also relate to several actions and comments made by Miss Grimshaw towards Ms A.”

A council spokesman said Miss Grimshaw was still working as a social worker and the allegations related to a previous job with the Drug and Alcohol Action Team.

“The county council conducted its own internal investigation into the allegations at the time they were made over two years ago,” he said.