Social worker suspended for bringing alcohol into a mental health ward

Social worker Rebecca Patricia Allen has been suspended from the HCPC Register for bringing alcohol into a mental health ward for a service user whilst working for Telford and Wrekin Council.

A panel of the HCPC Conduct and Competence Committee heard that Rebecca Patricia Allen helped Service User A take four cans of lager into Castle Lodge, a community mental health ward, by putting them into her bag. This was despite the fact that as Service User A’s Care Coordinator she was aware that Service User A had been treated for alcohol dependency and that alcohol was prohibited on the premises.

The Panel further heard that Rebecca Patricia Allen sought to justify her decision on the grounds she was using “harm minimisation strategies” because Service User A initially wanted to buy a bottle of vodka and “down it”.

Panel Chair Jim Cassidy commented: “Miss Allen has not provided the Panel with any information which indicates that she accepts that she acted inappropriately or regarding any steps that she has taken to address her failings in relation to this case.

“The Panel is concerned about her level of insight, particularly as she seems to have sought to justify her conduct rather than accepting she may have been wrong. Her actions put Service User A and others at serious risk.”

The Panel decided the most appropriate action was to suspend Rebecca Patricia Allen from the Register for a period of twelve months with an Interim Suspension Order in place to cover the appeal period.

Rebecca Patricia Allen was not present or represented at the hearing.