Social worker struck off for using Council credit card for personal purchases

Social worker Dorothy Lowe’ Bamidele has been struck off the HCPC Register for using her procurement card for personal purchases whilst working for Oxfordshire County Council.

A panel of the HCPC Conduct and Competence Committee heard that Dorothy Lowe’ Bamidele used her procurement card, which was to be used for expenses relating to children and young people looked after by the Council, to pay for a treatment at a London spa and for two payments to her personal car insurer.

The Panel further heard that Dorothy Lowe’ Bamidele gave different explanations for one of the insurance charges when interviewed by the Council. On one occasion, she claimed it was for travel insurance for a looked after child and on another, she claimed it was for the safe transportation of a looked after child.

Panel Chair Claire Bonnet commented:“The Panel has no evidence that Ms Bamidele has taken any steps towards remediation, including repaying the money. Accordingly the Panel cannot rule out repetition of similar behaviour.

“The Panel has concluded that Ms Bamidele has brought the profession into disrepute. The Panel is of the view that a finding of impaired fitness to practise is further justified on the grounds that it is necessary to maintain public confidence in the profession, and to declare and uphold proper standards of conduct and behaviour.”

The Panel decided the most appropriate action was to strike Dorothy Lowe’ Bamidele from the Register with an Interim Suspension Order in place to cover the appeal period.

Dorothy Lowe’ Bamidele was not present but was represented by counsel at the hearing.