A Conduct Committee of the General Social Care Council (GSCC) on 13 December 2007 decided the case of a social worker from Preston who was alleged to have breached the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers.
Misconduct was found against the registrant, Jean Stearn, and an admonishment was placed on her entry to the Social Care Register for six months.
The Committee found misconduct against Ms Stearn for failing to put the keys and money of a person who uses services into the Council’s safe and to record in case notes a number of occasions when she moved the keys and money .
The Committee considered that it was wholly inappropriate for Ms Stearn to retain keys of the person who uses services in her handbag and a container of coins in a filing cabinet. By failing to secure these items and record appropriately, the property of the person who uses services was put at unnecessary risk, as was the registrant and her colleagues.
The Committee found that Ms Stearn’s actions breached fundamental principles of social work practice. A social worker is required to protect the interests of people who use services, which includes recording accurately the receipt and movement of their monies and possessions.
In considering the most appropriate sanction, the Committee took into account that Ms Stearn had no previous disciplinary record with the GSCC and the testimonials provided by her colleagues and current line manager. Ms Stearn’s insight and expressions of regret and apology, and assurance that she has learnt from this experience and improved her practice accordingly was also considered.
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 at all times, respecting the rights of people who use services and protecting them from abuse 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.
“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.”
Admonishment by the GSCC amounts to a caution on the public record. The decision follows a three day Conduct Committee hearing in Blackpool.