Social worker who failed kids is struck off
from babies to teenagers.
Bosses dismissed claims she was “overwhelmed” with work in a report and insisted the damage caused was “extremely serious, given the volume and nature of the failures”.
It stated: “Many of the failures related to fundamental skills. Failures had been repeated. It was difficult to see how these could be remedied if you were to return to practice.
“People who use services were placed at risk of harm. There were concerns about your professional judgment. “You had failed to show proper insight. “You seemed not to take responsibility, blaming managers and other staff.
“There was evidence to suggest that you were aware of your practice falling below the standards expected and had not brought this to the attention of managers until a late stage.
“There was no evidence of specific steps taken in connection with prioritising work effectively and being more proactive in recording risks and other matters.
“If there was a repeat, there would be potentially serious risk of harm.”
Church was hammered for failing in her duty of care while working as part of the Children and Families Team in Paisley.
She repeatedly neglected to set- up or attend meetings and make accurate records between July, 2011 and February, 2015. These included raising no concerns when a 16-year-old girl – referred to only as “BB” – may have come into contact with a pervert around four years ago.
Church did not record any details of any risk assessment after she was warned the teen’s sister was in a relationship with an alleged sex offender.
She also failed to carry out a final home visit to make sure she was safe.
The panel also ruled Church “failed to follow-up” when she was told a mum had become gripped by booze.
She refused to visit the woman’s three children – aged nine, 10 and 14, and known only as “FF”, “GG” and “HH” – for a fortnight, despite the revelation.
Bosses say no details of this meeting about the lady’s fight against drink was ever noted.
She also ignored two more youngsters – aged 13 and 17 and referred to as “JJ” and “II” – after they revealed their parent had started drinking heavily.
Church did not make vital visits, despite discovering their mum had hit the bottle.
She insists she refused to keep case notes and skipped appointments due to a heavy workload and a “lack of time to complete tasks”.
But the panel placed the blame on Church and warned the only way to keep the public safe was to axe her. It added: “You had been trusted to ensure the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children.
“Children were placed at increased risk of harm.
“You failed to take full responsibility for your failures, which related to core competencies and fundamental skills for a social worker. There was no remedial action. The SSSC could not be satisfied that the risk to the public was low.
“The failures were serious, repeated and not easily remediable.
“The public places its trust in social workers to be competent, safe and effective in their role.
“You had significant difficulties with core competencies.”
Church was struck-off after a six-day hearing in Dundee.
The decision means she is banned from finding a job as a registered social worker.