Barneley social worker struck off for suggestive comments

Douglas Adams was assistant director of children's services at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council when he made a series of comments to four female colleagues, some of which were of a sexual nature, the General Social Care Council heard.

He was dismissed from his post in 2006 following a disciplinary investigation into a complaint made by one of the women, a pregnant administrative worker who said Adams suggested she should have an abortion.

The 56-year-old from Nottingham did not attend the two-day hearing in central London.

Allegations that Adams had a conversation with the pregnant woman, known as Ms D, during which he told her "it would be easy to have an abortion because her pregnancy was not that far gone" were found proved, along with other comments including suggesting she would end up with no job and would lose her figure.

In its decision, the conduct panel stated: "Although Ms D's evidence was hearsay, when he was interviewed by Ms (Deborah) Lightfoot on June 8 2006 the registrant did not deny the specific allegations which now form the basis of the formal allegation for the present proceedings.

"Further, he did not deny the specific allegations during the course of his disciplinary hearing on August 2 2006.

"The committee was impressed by the fact that Ms D herself did not appear to be motivated by malice or personal gain and did not wish the registrant to get into trouble."

Adams, who lost an appeal against his dismissal by Barnsley council, suggested during inquiries into Ms D's complaint that he had been trying to "shock" her into acknowledging the difficulties she could face as a young mother, the hearing was told.

The evidence of another woman, Ms A, that Adams told her he could imagine her in a "Miss Whiplash" outfit was also found proved.

Adams was meanwhile found to have told Ms A that an administrative worker - Ms B - was "completely off her head" and "all over the place" because she was undergoing fertility treatment.

According to the GSCC, Adams whispered an obscene comment into the ear of another female colleague - Ms C - during an office Christmas meal.

Suspending Adams from the GSCC register would not have been a sufficient sanction, according to the conduct committee.

In its decision it said "the right of potential colleagues to protection from abuse was more important than the registrant's own fortunes" and said Adams had shown "little insight into his repeated failings".

"The committee took into account evidence of the registrant's previous good character and some evidence of the registrant's apologies to Ms A," the decision stated.

"The committee also took into account the registrant's acknowledgement that his conversation with Ms D had been highly inappropriate.

"However, the committee was not satisfied that the registrant's proven behaviour was unlikely to be repeated."

The panel, chaired by Barry Picken, concluded: "The committee found that the registrant's behaviour demonstrated a blatant disregard for the values of social care standards set out in the code of practice for social care workers and that a removal order was the only proportionate sanction in the circumstances of this case."