Seventh social worker struck off register

A social worker has been struck off the Social Care Register for sexually propositioning a service user.

James McNicholas, a social worker from the London Borough of Waltham Forest, is the seventh person to be struck off the register.

McNicholas admitted to using a personal phone to call the service user, out of hours, and failed to keep records of his conversations, the General Social Care Council conduct committee heard this week.

The committee said that McNicholas’ misconduct amounted to a “very serious abuse of trust” and had caused “serious adverse effects” on the service user.

McNicholas also breached the social care workers code of practice by failing to inform the GSCC that he had been suspended by his employer and a disciplinary investigation was taking place.

After the three day hearing in London, GSCC chair Rodney Brooke, said: “Social workers have a duty to act appropriately at all times, respecting the rights of people who use services and protecting them from abuse.”

McNicholas has a right to appeal the committees’ decision.

More information

General Social Care Council

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