Social worker’s child protection case adjourned

By Sally Gillen on January 27, 2009 in Child safeguarding, Fitness to practise

A social worker whose own children were allegedly placed on the the child protection register has had a hearing into her conduct adjourned.

A General Social Care Council conduct committee postponed the case after hearing the woman, known as Ms X, could not attend on health grounds.

Ms X’s GP said she was not emotionally or mentally fit to attend the hearing. She is suffering depression, is on medication and receiving counselling.

Right to fair trial

Chair Barry Picken said he was concerned that Ms X’s right to a fair trial, under article 6 of the Human Rights Act, was upheld.

She is facing allegations that her two sons were placed on the child protection register, at risk of physical harm between 31 January 2006 and 28 March 2006 and of emotional harm between 28 March 2006 and 28 September 2006.

It is alleged that Ms X bit her 16-year-old son on the arm and slapped her 19-year-old daughter on the face and punched her on the forehead. She is also facing allegations that she failed to inform the GSCC as soon as practicable that she had been dismissed from her job as a social worker in May 2005.

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