Herts County Council social worker suspended from national register for repeatedly putting children at risk
A social worker employed by Herts County Council has been suspended from the national register for repeatedly putting children at risk. File photo. Credit: Dmitri Maruta/Getty/iStockphoto - Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
A social worker formerly employed by Herts County Council has been suspended from the national register for repeatedly putting children at risk.
A panel of the Health and Care Professions Council’s conduct and competence committee heard that Mary Wangui had not checked the suitability of a father to care for three children after their mother was hospitalised – failing to properly inform her manager about the case.
On another occasion she did not ensure the necessary checks were carried out on potential carers for the unborn baby of a 17-year-old service user, after it was deemed unsafe for the child to stay in the mother’s care.
Panel chairman Naseem Malik said: “Ms Wangui has not provided any evidence to show that she has remedied her failings or reflected on her actions.
“The panel were unable to assess her current level of insight and therefore considered that there remained a real risk of repetition.
“The panel found that Wangui’s actions undermined the reputation of and public confidence in the profession and failed to uphold and maintain proper standards.”
Mary Wangui – who was neither present nor represented at the hearing – was suspended from the HCPC register for 12 months, to start on March 10, at the end of the proceedings on Tuesday.
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Richard Roberts, Herts County Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said that she had already been dismissed.
“Hertfordshire County Council expects the highest standards from our social workers,” he said.
“When this particular social worker’s practice fell short of these standards and expectations, she was dismissed.
“We also promptly reported the matter to the Health and Care Professionals Council and cooperated fully, in accordance with the HCPC Tribunal Service guidelines.
“I am extremely proud of our social workers who do a fantastic job in a very challenging environment.
“This is an exceptional case and I am pleased that we were able to quickly identify the failings and take action to protect the public.”
