A social worker who pocketed petty cash set aside for four vulnerable children in his care has been struck off.

Arthur Jardine, formerly employed by Southwark Council, London, withdrew petty cash totalling £575 on behalf of the children between April and September 2008.

But he did not ensure that the full amounts reached each of them, a General Social Care Council conduct committee found.

He also asked both junior and senior members of his team to lend him money even though his manager had told him it was inappropriate.

The conduct committee found that Jardine's behaviour had been "deliberately dishonest".

"Although the sums of money concerned were not substantial, the dishonesty was serious and repeated with four vulnerable service users," the committee said.

"These actions are not compatible with the standards expected of a social worker."

Jardine did not attend the hearing.

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