A reconvened hearing into the conduct of Yvonne Doyle, a Registered Social Worker, will be held in Newcastle upon Tyne on 19 June by the social care workforce regulator the General Social Care Council (GSCC).
Yvonne Doyle, a social worker from Darlington, 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 independent Conduct Committee is expected to announce its findings in the case on Monday 19 June at the Newcastle Jury’s Inn Hotel.
Through registration all social workers are accountable for their conduct and practice. Action can be taken against social workers who breach the code of practice. They can be removed from the register if 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 interest and the 1.5 million people who use social care services.
The GSCC’s Conduct Committee meets in private to consider its decision. The decision of the Conduct Committee will be announced in public.
Notes to editors
1. To check the time and date of the decision of the 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 Charlotte Dawkins on 020 7397 5803 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. 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. In accordance with the GSCC’s Conduct Rules, hearings may be held in private if the particular circumstances of the case outweigh the public interest in holding a public hearing and will be heard in private where the conduct that is alleged and calls into question the worker’s suitability to remain on the register arises from issues relating to his or her physical or mental health. The GSCC also uses discretion when publicising outcomes where health matters are being considered. A copy of the Conduct Rules is on the GSCC’s web site at www.gscc.org.uk
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.