Essex social worker Stewart Ford to face disciplinary hearing

A social worker who had extreme pornography on his home computer is to face a disciplinary hearing.
Stewart Ford, of Little Wakering in Essex, was last year given a year-long community order for possessing 50 videos and images.

Southend Crown Court also ordered the former Essex County Council worker to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work.

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) will now decide whether he is fit to continue in social work.

Ford, who was dismissed as an adult social care worker by the county council, had denied possessing the pornography but was found guilty by a trial jury.

The HCPC will hear an allegation that Ford’s conviction means his “fitness to practise as a social worker is impaired”.

The hearing on Friday is expected to last one day.

Ford was initially caught with the pornography in August 2010.

The HCPC is the industry regulator for social care and can remove people from its register of professionals who meet its standards.

To work in social care, social workers must be on the register.