The independent conduct committee of the GSCC today (19 June 2006) decided the case of social worker from Darlington who was alleged to have breached the codes of practice by advertising herself as an escort.
Misconduct was found against the registrant, Yvonne Marie Doyle, and she was suspended from the Social Care Register for two years.
The Committee found that, by advertising herself as an escort with an internet agency with links to websites associated with prostitution, Mrs Doyle had brought the profession of social work into disrepute and damaged public confidence in social care services.
The Committee decided not to remove Mrs Doyle from the Social Care Register as it accepted that to advertise as an escort is not illegal and that no individual member of the public was harmed or was put at direct risk by her activities.
Registrants have a right of appeal to the independent Care Standards Tribunal.
GSCC Chair Rodney Brooke said:
“Social workers have a duty to act appropriately and professionally both in and outside work as set out in our Codes of Practice for Social Care Workers and Employers. All Registered Social Workers sign up to the codes of practice when they register with the GSCC.
“Social workers work in positions of great responsibility and it is essential that service users they work with can trust them professionally and personally. The GSCC exists to promote high standards among social care workers and can take action against those who do not meet the standards laid down in the codes of practice. At the same time, we applaud the many thousands of social care workers who meet those standards and do so much to help vulnerable people.”
The decision follows a three day hearing by the independent conduct committee in Newcastle from 5-7 April 2006. The committee adjourned at the end of the third day of the hearing as they were unable to reach a decision in the time allotted. Being removed from the register means that the person will not be able to work as a social worker.
Notes to editors
1. Media contact details:
Nicky Edwards: 020 7397 5831
Out of hours: 07771 914 481
Registration helpline: 0845 070 0630
2. More than 73,000 social workers are on the Social Care Register maintained by the GSCC. The register is public and accessible on the GSCC’s website www.gscc.org.uk
3. The Conduct Committee is 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 and is independent of the GSCC. Cases come to the Conduct Committee only after evidence has been investigated and there is an allegation which calls into question the registrant’s suitability to be in the workforce. Options open to the Committee include cautions, no action or removal of the registrant from the Social Care Register. Registrants have a right of appeal to the Care Standards Tribunal.
4. 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. Decisions are taken to protect the public interests and those of the 1.5 million people who use social care services.