Social worker struck off for stealing from elderly woman

A social worker who was jailed for 30 months after he repeatedly stole from a vulnerable elderly service user has been struck off the register.

Raymond Nkemmi Patcha used his position as a social worker to obtain information about the service user’s financial situation, the General Social Care Council’s conduct committee heard.

The resulting fraud was “of high value” and involved a number of transactions over an extended period of time.

Patcha pleaded guilty to offences of fraud at Woolwich Crown Court in September 2011 and was sentenced in October to 30 months imprisonment.

In his sentencing remarks, the judge described Patcha’s actions as “mean and despicable”, adding: “Social workers need to be trusted and this was serious a breach of trust as there can be.”

The GSCC’s conduct committee said it agreed with this analysis.

It noted that Patcha had demonstrated some insight and remorse – indicating that, given the opportunity, he would have apologised to the service user – and provided positive testimonials from prison staff, a former social work colleague and a family member.

However, the committee concluded removal from the register was the only appropriate sanction in a case involving dishonesty such as this.

Read the full notice of decision