Care Council successfully prosecute Cardiff man who passed himself off as social worker

The Care Council for Wales has successfully prosecuted a Cardiff man who wrongfully used the legally protected title of social worker.

Andrew Jah, a graduate of Cardiff Metropolitan University, was fined £140 for abusing the title of social worker by Cardiff Magistrates. He also had to contribute £400 towards the Care Council’s costs and a £20 victim’s surcharge.

As the regulator of the social care workforce in Wales, the Care Council keeps a register of all social care professionals working in Wales and they believe this is the first time for a successful prosecution of this kind to be brought in the UK.

Mr Jah, who is not a qualified social worker or registered with the Care Council in Wales or the Health and Care Professions Council in England, pleaded guilty to misusing the title of social worker when working for Slough Borough Council. He had previously been warned about using the title of social worker when working with Cardiff City Council.

Commenting on the case, Gerry Evans, Care Council Director of Regulation and Professional Standards, said: “Social work as a profession has the power to change the lives of individuals. The use of those powers needs to be carefully protected which is why the Care Council has successfully prosecuted Mr Andrew Jah for making himself out to be a social worker while not having a social work qualification or being registered.

“We undertook this action both to address the actions of Mr Jah but also to make clear to others that individuals unlawfully claiming to be a social worker will be identified and, if necessary, brought before the courts. It is vital that employers, and those receiving social work support, can have the confidence that social workers are appropriately qualified and registered with the Care Council in Wales.”