A conduct committee also found Craig McLoughlin, of Sheffield, who was drunk at the time, told the client not to worry about his late father, adding "I'll be your dad", and informed other people in the pub that he was his social worker.

But other allegations against McLoughlin that he offered the client some "magic mushrooms" and asked him for cannabis and sleeping tablets were not proved, the committee of the General Social Care Council concluded yesterday.

Committee members will today consider whether the allegations proved amount to misconduct, and if so what sanctions to impose.

They heard yesterday that McLoughlin, 54, was employed on a temporary contract by Sheffield Council to work for the Sheffield Care Trust in mental health services, where he was involved with the care of the client, known only as Mr A, from October 2004.

Mr A had issues with psychosis which were linked to substance and alcohol misuse, and McLoughlin was involved with arranging his detox programme.

On May 27, 2005, McLoughlin was on a day off and was intoxicated "to the level of being drunk" in a Sheffield city centre pub, the hearing was told.

Mr A and his girlfriend went into the pub for a meal, and McLoughlin asked them to sit at his table.

The hearing was told McLoughlin waved a £20 note in front of Mr A's face and told him to buy himself a drink, but Mr A declined.

An area manager for Sheffield Care Trust, Elizabeth Johnson, told the committee McLoughlin was "a genuinely nice and committed chap, but with an alcohol problem".

McLoughlin was not present or represented at the hearing.