‘Violent’ social worker now employed at school

A social worker who sat on a teen and punched a co-worker is working at an Auckland primary school.

Uila Esera was charged with conduct unbecoming of a social worker and de-registered over the incidents, which took place while he was working at the Whakatakapokai Care and Protection Residence in 2013. The residence is a secure facility for young people in South Auckland’s Manurewa.

A decision by the Social Workers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal, released this week, said the incidents showed Esera had ‘‘a quickness to become angry and a concerning resort to aggression and violence when frustrated’’. He showed a ‘‘pattern of violent behaviour’’.

Keren Williams, a residential youth worker at Whakatakapokai, stated the altercation between Esera and the 16-year-old girl began following an argument over icecream, the decision said.

When the teen yelled at Esera, he went in for a ‘‘one-man restraint’’ without any warning, Williams said.

She classed the interaction between Esera and the teen as ‘‘the most violent that I’ve witnessed’’.

Esera was now employed at Jean Batten School in Ma¯ ngere East as a wha¯nau support worker.

Principal Nardi Leonard confirmed Esera was an employee. However, he had been placed on leave ‘‘while the matter is worked through’’, she said.