A social worker from Leeds has been removed from the Social Care Register at a hearing held by the General Social Care Council (GSCC), after being found to have breached the code of practice.
Alan Rhodes, who was employed by Leeds City Council, was found guilty of misconduct by the Committee for forming an inappropriate personal relationship with a person who uses services. Rhodes was the allocated social worker to that person and her children, who had been on the Child Protection Register.
The Committee heard that two of the children were moved to live with their father in Scotland without the knowledge of social services in Leeds or East Renfrewshire. Rhodes had played a part in the move and was aware that child protection procedures should have been followed. Despite being suspended by Leeds City Council at the time, the Council decided that Rhodes had a responsibility to inform social services in Leeds about the move. As a social worker with many years of experience, he would have been fully aware of the risks involved in moving children without the correct procedures being followed. The children were later placed in care in Scotland.
The Committee concluded that Alan Rhodes’ behaviour fell far below the standards expected of a Registered Social Worker. They were particularly concerned by his failure to make the welfare of the children paramount. In addition, the Committee noted the registrant had displayed no insight or remorse in disciplinary interviews, in the intervening period or in communications with the GSCC.
Sir Rodney Brooke, Chair of the GSCC, said: When people become social care workers and register with the General Social Care Council, they agree to abide by a set of rules set out in our codes of practice. Tens of thousands of social workers work to these rules, providing high quality care to the people using their services. Where we believe there to be misconduct, it is vital that we take action to ensure public confidence, preserve trust in the profession and protect the reputation of social workers.”
Removal from the register means that the registrant will not be able to practice as a social worker. Registrants have a right of appeal to the independent Care Standards Tribunal.