A public hearing into the conduct of a Registered Social Worker will be held next week, from 5-7 April, in Newcastle by the social care workforce regulator the General Social Care Council (GSCC).
The case will be heard against a social worker from Darlington who is alleged to have committed misconduct and breached the GSCC’s code of practice for social care workers by advertising herself as an escort. The hearing will take place from 10am on Wednesday, 5 April at the Newcastle Jury’s Inn Hotel.
Being registered means that all social workers are accountable for their conduct and practice. Action can be taken against any social worker where they have breached the code of practice and where it is considered that they are no longer suitable to be a Registered Social Worker. Such decisions, which are not taken lightly, are taken to protect the public interests and those of the 1.5 million people who use social care services.
GSCC conduct hearings are held in public but people attending are advised to contact the GSCC on the numbers below to reserve seats and check the hearings are going ahead according to schedule. It may be deemed appropriate that a hearing take place in private either to protect vulnerable witnesses or on health grounds. This may only be decided by the committee on the first day of the hearing.
Notes to editors
1. To check the time and date of a hearing or to reserve seats, please call 020 7397 5122 or 020 7397 5112.
2. For media information and to book media seats at the hearing, please contact Niamh Mac Mahon on 020 7397 5801 or 07771 914 481 (out of hours).
3. Conduct hearings are organised where a Registered Social Worker is suspected of serious misconduct and after evidence has been gathered. The Conduct Committee is an independent committee made up of three to five members, who have interest and expertise in the social care sector but take decisions in the public interest. The Committee has a lay majority. Options open to the Committee include cautions, no action, suspension or removal of the registrant from the Social Care Register.
4. Please note that only limited information is available before the hearing, which will be held in public. The GSCC issues guidelines to members of the press and public attending conduct hearings. This is designed to protect the confidentiality of witnesses including children, who cannot be identified.
5. The GSCC is unable to confirm how long hearings will last or whether there will be adjournments or requests for them to be held in private. Hearings may be held in private to protect vulnerable witnesses or identification of children involved or in cases where the social care worker’s adherence to the code is being questioned due to issues of physical or mental health which call into question their suitability to remain on the register. The GSCC also uses discretion when publicising outcomes where health matters are being considered.
6. The General Social Care Council is the regulator of the social care workforce in England set up to promote high standards in social care and to protect the public. All social workers need to be registered with the GSCC, meeting standards of training, suitability and commitment to high standards. They are accountable for maintaining high standards of conduct to the GSCC. Action can be taken against social workers who fall below these standards or who are not suitable to hold the responsibilities of being a social worker.