Two councils duped by social worker who held jobs with both simultaneously

Two local authorities have been duped into employing a social worker who, unknown to the other, was working nearly 60 hours a week.

Social worker Tolulase Roche began working for Luton Borough Council on 10 May 2010 as a Service Manager but in 2013 her data appeared on a National Fraud Initiative report indicating that there was data from the payroll which matched with that from the London Borough of Harrow.

Following further investigations it was established that Ms Roche had separate contracts of employment with Harrow, whilst also being employed at Luton. A total of three contracts resulted in Ms Roche being contracted to work a total of 57 hours per week.

The details have come to light as Ms Roche faced a panel of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) which looked into the issue.

The Panel have now determined Ms Roche be struck off on grounds of ‘misconduct and dishonesty’ after failing to disclose a second job, thereby ‘breaching professional standards’.

Following an earlier disciplinary hearing held on 5 December 2013, Ms Roche’s employment at Luton was terminated and she later received a final written warning from Harrow following a disciplinary hearing in May 2014.

Panel Chair Nicola Bastin commented:“These are serious matters involving findings of dishonesty: dishonesty which by way of concealment has extended over a period of years.

“There is little evidence of the Registrant having insight into how her behaviour would be interpreted by others, how it affected her, her employer, and her profession.

“More importantly, her actions had the potential to place service users at risk as a result of her working consecutive days and nights on a weekly basis.”

The Panel concluded that the most appropriate conclusion was to strike Ms Roche from the register.