Social worker Gallagher removed from GSCC register

A social worker who engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a former client while practising as a psychotherapist has been removed from the General Social Care Council register.

Eogain Gallagher, 61, of West Sussex, acted dishonestly in withholding information about his previous misconduct to his social work employer, the GSCC’s conduct committee found.

Gallagher listed membership of the London Centre for Psychotherapy in an application form for a social work position at West Sussex council, despite the fact he had been barred from the LCP since 2004 when the sexual relationship came to light.

At the end of a two-day hearing in London, the GSCC committee concluded the relationship was inappropriate due to the “vulnerability of the victim” and was an abuse of his professional status as a psychotherapist.

Gallagher had shown a lack of insight into its significance in his subsequent work as a social worker. The lack of information supplied on the application form, “a deliberate act which enabled him to obtain employment”, was an aggravating factor.

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