Social worker suspended for safeguarding and management failings

Social worker Peter Bull has been suspended from the HCPC Register for failing to fulfil his managerial and safeguarding responsibilities whilst working as Team Manager in the children with disabilities team at Walsall Borough Metropolitan Council, which was outsourced to Serco.

A panel of the HCPC Conduct and Competence Committee heard that Mr Bull failed to take adequate action in relation to three children, including failing to act on concerns about injuries and neglect.

The Panel further heard that Peter Bull did not provide sufficient management supervision and direction to the allocated social workers in the cases of a further six children.

Panel Chair Stephen Fash commented: “The Panel was unable to discern a full understanding on the part of the registrant of the potential or actual impact of his poor management and inadequate attention to safeguarding issues on the children overseen by his team, nor on his staff whose inexperience necessitated clear and pro-active direction from the registrant.

“The proven failings go beyond the role of a manager and call into question the registrant’s capability to operate effectively as a social worker responsible for vulnerable service users.”

The Panel decided the most appropriate action was to suspend Peter Phillip Bullfrom the Register for a period of 12 months with an Interim Suspension Order in place to cover the appeal period.

Mr Bull was not present or represented at the hearing.