A man from Northumbria has been barred from practising as a social worker after an independent committee of the General Social Care Council (GSCC) found his relationship with a service user constituted professional misconduct.

Stephen Douglas, who worked as a Care Manager for Northumberland County Council at the time, was found to have formed an inappropriate personal relationship with a woman described as ‘extremely vulnerable’. He was found to have abused the power and trust which came from his position as the woman’s allocated social worker.

The committee, which concluded its hearing on 20 March, noted Douglas’ lack of insight into the inappropriateness of his conduct towards the woman and his lack of remorse and apology for it.

Douglas, 44, was also found guilty of failing to record that he had been employed by Northumbria on an application form for employment with Cumbria County Council and on his application to register with the GSCC.

Sir Rodney Brooke, Chair of the GSCC, said: "Fortunately, instances of misconduct by social workers are very rare. We have 80,000 social workers on our register and almost all perform their invaluable role with a deep commitment. However, it is important that where misconduct is found we take action to protect people who use social work services, many of whom are extremely vulnerable. So far 33 social workers have been found guilty of misconduct. ”

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 (CST).