GSCC: Social worker conduct hearing scheduled
Friday, 13, Oct 2006 12:00
A hearing into the conduct of a Registered Social Worker from Bracknell will be held on 19 October 2006 by the social care workforce regulator the General Social Care Council (GSCC).
The social worker is alleged to have committed misconduct and breached the GSCC’s code of practice for social care workers by failing to disclose information relating to their employment history. The hearing will take place from 10am on Thursday 19 October at the General Chiropractic Council, Kings Cross, London.
Through registration all social workers are accountable for their conduct and practice. Action can be taken against social workers who breach the code of practice. They can be removed from the register if it is considered that they are no longer suitable to be a Registered Social Worker. Such decisions, which are not taken lightly, are taken to protect the public interest and the 1.5 million people who use social care services.
GSCC conduct hearings are normally held in public but people attending are advised to contact the GSCC on the numbers below to reserve seats and check the hearings are going ahead according to schedule. It is possible that a hearing may take place in private in accordance with the GSCC’s Conduct Rules if the particular circumstances of the case outweigh the public interest in holding a public hearing. This will be only decided by the independent conduct committee on the first day of the hearing after inviting representations from the parties.
Notes to editors
1. To check the time and date of a hearing or to reserve seats, please call 020 7397 5122 or 020 7397 5112.
2. For a media information pack and to book media seats at the hearing, please contact Nelly Assayag on 020 7397 5829 or 077 221 858 31 (out of hours).
3. Conduct hearings are organised where a Registered Social Worker is suspected of serious misconduct and after evidence has been gathered. The Conduct Committee is an independent committee made up of three to five members, who have interest and expertise in the social care sector but take decisions in the public interest. The Committee has a lay majority. Options open to the Committee include cautions, no action, suspension or removal of the registrant from the Social Care Register.
4. Please note that only limited information is available before the hearing. The GSCC issues guidelines to members of the media and public attending conduct hearings. This is designed to protect the confidentiality of witnesses including children, who cannot be identified.
5. The GSCC is unable to confirm how long hearings will last or whether there will be adjournments or requests for them to be held in private. In accordance with the GSCC’s Conduct Rules, hearings may be held in private if the particular circumstances of the case outweigh the public interest in holding a public hearing and will be heard in private where the conduct that is alleged and calls into question the worker’s suitability to remain on the register arises from issues relating to his or her physical or mental health. The GSCC also uses discretion when publicising outcomes where health matters are being considered. A copy of the Conduct Rules is on the GSCC’s web site at www.gscc.org.uk
6. The General Social Care Council is the regulator of the social care workforce in England set up to promote high standards in social care and to protect the public. All social workers need to be registered with the GSCC, meeting standards of training, suitability and commitment to high standards. They are accountable for maintaining high standards of conduct to the GSCC. Action can be taken against social workers who fall below these standards or who are not suitable to hold the responsibilities of being a social worker.
Nelly Assayag
Communications Executive
General Social Care Council
Tel: 020 7397 5829
Fax: 020 7397 5834