Social worker convicted of possessing “extreme” porn suspended from register

A man who was convicted of possessing extreme pornographic images has been temporarily banned from practising as a social worker.

Stewart Hal Ford was convicted of the offence at Basildon Crown Court on 20 September 2012 and received a community sentence of 40 hours of unpaid work.

A panel of the Health and Care Professions Council’s (HCPC) fitness to practise committee decided the conviction was enough to damage public confidence in Ford and, potentially, the social work profession.

However, it noted that the court did not impose a custodial sentence. In addition, Ford is contemplating an appeal and has found a barrister to support him.

The panel therefore decided that a one-year suspension would protect the public, but allow for a review in case Ford’s appeal is successful.

He would also have to prove he had taken steps to update and maintain his professional knowledge during the suspension period, the panel said.

Ford did not attend the HCPC’s hearing.

Read the full notice of decision