Hull social worker struck off after Facebook messages reveal sexual relationship with 'vulnerable' boy, 16

The relationship was uncovered after the boy’s foster carers, who worked for Calderdale Council, discovered incriminating messages on Facebook, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) heard.

Claire Runkee was employed by Hull City Council at the time of the relationship, between January and February last year.

Runkee, who was not present at the HCPC hearing in London last week, failed to disclose details of the relationship to her employers.

Sian Jones, a solicitor acting on behalf on the HCPC, told the hearing how Runkee developed “a friendship” with ‘Child A’ - a 16-year-old boy who was in the care of Calderdale Council, outside of work, while employed as a Grade 8 social worker with Hull City Council.

Child A’s foster carers obtained a transcript of his Facebook messages with Runkee, which “appeared to show that a sexual relationship has developed”, a report of the hearing said.

“These messages show that the Registrant (Runkee) placed pressure on Child A not to tell anyone about their relationship because of the potential consequences to her of the relationship becoming public,” it said.

Child A’s foster carers sent a copy of the transcript to Calderdale Council, and following a meeting with police, Runkee was later identified as a social worker.

The boy confirmed that he had been in a relationship in Runkee, but police decided to take no further action.

An investigation was launched at Hull Council, where Runkee admitted being involved in a sexual relationship with the boy. Initially she claimed to have believed he was 18 but later acknowledged she knew that he was 16, the report said.

Both Hull and Calderdale councils gave evidence at the hearing.

On reaching its decision, the HCPC said Runkee made “explicit reference” to the fact that is the relationship became public she could lose her job.

“She told Child A ‘not to rock the boat’,” the report said.

She also accepted “her behaviour was inappropriate” in interview with her employers, it added.

While accepting she had not committed a criminal offence, the panel found her actions constituted as misconduct and represented a “significant” breach of the HCPC Standards of Conduct, performance and ethics.

Entering into a relationship with Child A, represented “an abuse of power and trust” on Runkee’s part, and the Facebook transcripts showed she placed her needs above those of the boy, and exposed him to emotional harm.

The boy, the report said, was “vulnerable and struggled at school”, and had led a sheltered life since being placed with his foster carers at the age of four.

Hull Council’s city children safeguarding manager, Jon Plant, said: “As soon as this was brought to our attention Claire Runkee was immediately suspended from her role and appropriate action was taken. She is no longer employed by the Council.

“We do not tolerate conduct that falls outside of the Code of Conduct and the Professional Standards for social workers, which we expect our staff to uphold at all times.”

A Calderdale Council spokesperson said: “We took action as soon as the child’s foster carers raised concerns over an alleged relationship with a Hull City Council Social Worker. We immediately stopped all contact between them and fully supported the investigation and family through this difficult time.”