Social workers forming relationships with service users or their relatives make up over 40% of all conduct cases heard by the General Social Care Council.
Out of 34 cases heard by the GSCC since the hearings began two years ago, 14 have involved social workers - 11 men and three women - forming unsuitable relationships.
Of these, nine have been struck off, two suspended, and three received an admonishment.
Last week Virginia Leckie, formerly of Hounslow Council in London, was struck off after being found guilty of having a relationship with the father of a young person on the child protection register.
She also failed to declare her employment with Hounslow in an application to register with the GSCC.
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Daniel Lombard