A Conduct Committee of the General Social Care Council (GSCC) on 17 October 2007 decided the case of a social worker from Colchester who was alleged to have breached the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers.
Misconduct was found against the registrant, Theresa Guy, for forming a personal relationship with a foster carer when she knew that it would create a conflict of interest and for sending a threatening letter to the foster carer’s wife.
The Committee took into account the registrant’s misuse of a position of trust and abuse of a professional position as well as her failure to uphold confidence in social work.
However, the Committee also considered the registrant’s long and apparently unblemished career as a social worker and remorse for the effect of her actions.
An admonishment was placed on the registrant’s entry to the register for two years.
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 service users 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 and public record. The decision follows a two day Conduct Committee hearing in London.