Agency social worker in UK “illegally” for 15 years

A social worker hired by an agency that supplies councils and health trusts across South Essex has been accused of working in the UK illegally for 15 years.

Akwasi Anane, 36, faces being struck off the register of social workers over allegations he worked while being an illegal immigrant and has never had permission to work in the UK.

He is also alleged to have worked for ten years under a false name.

A Health and Care Professionals Council hearing in London will this week hear allegations the Ghanaian entered the UK as Gordon Osafo on January 2, 1999, and should have left after six months, but overstayed.

The council’s conduct and competence committee will hear claims in October 2004 he applied for an extension to stay in the country, under the name he now uses, Akwasi Anane, and did not declare he previously arrived under another name.

A third allegation is when that was rejected in December 2009, he failed to leave the country.

This allowed Mr Anane, from Purfleet, to obtain funding he should not have been entitled to so he could train to be a social worker, it is alleged.

He completed a training course from October 2006 to April 2009.

If found guilty of the allegations, sanctions could include being struck off or suspended, made to undergo training, given a warning or placed on restricted duties.

Mr Anane has worked for Capita, a specialist recruitment agency providing social workers to councils and health trusts.

It is used by Southend Council, Essex County Council and South Essex Partnership NHS Mental Health Trust.

A Capita spokesman said: “As this investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage.”

He has also been able to set up a limited company.

Krystal Ventures, a firm involved in social work, is registered to his home address and he is listed as it’s director at Companies House.

The firm, set up by him in October 2009, was in the process of being struck off for not filing accounts, but this was suspended after an unnamed third party objected, according to the public register.

A Companies House spokeswoman said details submitted had to be taken at face value.

The Echo understands he has since launched a new bid to stay, which is being considered by the Home Office.

A spokesman said: “If an application for leave to remain in the UK is refused, we expect the applicant to leave the UK voluntarily.

“If not we will take action to enforce their removal.”