Underage sex charge against childcare worker dropped

A misconduct case against a residential child care worker has been dropped by a Care Council for Wales conduct committee in Cardiff.

Benjamin Howells, formerly employed by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, will be allowed to continue working in social care after a charge of misconduct against him was dropped.

In a statement to the Committee, Mr Howells admitted having sexual intercourse with a young person he believed to be 16-years-old in a party in 2005. He was later informed by a friend that the young person was 14-years-old.

Mr Howells raised concerns with his managers in March 2014 about the incident, which took place before he was employed in social care.

After reviewing the evidence and witness statements, the Committee found Mr Howells had reason to believe the young person involved was 16-years-old at the time of the incident.

In reaching its decision, the Conduct Committee found that the alleged misconduct took place before the standards of behaviour for social care workers, the Code of Practice, became enforceable for residential child care workers.

In delivering its decision, the Committee said: “We no way condone the behaviour of the registrant and we are concerned for the welfare of the unknown young person involved.

“However, the Committee does consider it appropriate to remind the registrant that if he wishes to practice in future, as a social care worker, he will need to be mindful of the standards of conduct and practice expected by the current Code of Practice for Social Care Workers.”

Registration with the Care Council for Wales became mandatory for residential child care workers in March 2008.