Social worker found guilty of misconduct

In the first social care conduct hearing in Wales, a Neath Port Talbot Council community placement officer was found to have breached the codes of practice.

After a two-day hearing in Swansea, a Care Council for Wales conduct committee found Emma Sowerby guilty of misconduct and placed a three-year warning on her record in the social care register.

Any employer or member of the public who contacts the council about her will be told about the admonishment.

The committee found Sowerby had failed in her duty of care towards children she was responsible for; had failed to disclose information to a multi-agency investigation; and in providing personal details to a carer, she compromised her duty to the children and the multi-agency investigation.

The committee decided a warning, as opposed to suspension or removal from the register, was appropriate because Sowerby accepted her misconduct and had addressed her professional development needs.

She has the right to appeal to the Care Standards Tribunal.

Meanwhile, a conduct hearing involving a Cardiff social worker will be held at the city’s Royal Hotel from 13 to 16 November.