Social worker admonished by GSCC for sexual harassment

A social worker who sexually harassed his supervisor has been admonished by the General Social Care Council.

Christopher Holden admitted making comments of a sexual nature to his colleague, also a social worker, while employed by Sandwell Council between 2008 and July 2009.

Holden admitted saying, “you don’t know what those boots do to me,” and, “put that midriff away”.

And, in relation to the woman’s forthcoming wedding anniversary, he said: “If you come into work on Friday morning walking straight, it will indicate you have not had a good anniversary.”

Holden also admitted continuously touching the woman on the arm, despite being asked not to by her and other colleagues.

He accepted an official police caution for the offence of harassment in April 2010.

Holden’s actions had left the woman “feeling violated” and caused her “mental distress”, the GSCC’s conduct committee found, adding: “The registrant’s behaviour was wholly unacceptable.”

However, Holden had a previous good history, had expressed genuine regret and made full admissions, sparing his colleague the ordeal of re-living her experiences before the committee. He has already been dismissed by Sandwell Council.

The committee concluded that a six-month admonishment sufficiently reflected the seriousness of his misconduct.

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