Social worker had relationship with 16-year-old

Apr 29 2008

A SOCIAL worker who had a sexual relationship with a teenager in his care was struck off today by the General Social Care Council (GSCC).

Alan Carr, 50, who worked for St Helens council, began a relationship with the 16-year-old girl in 1987 when she was in a children’s home.

The relationship included physical contact, hugging and kissing, and he gave her gifts such as £60 and a ring.

The GSCC also heard that he had a sexual relationship with her from 1988 and after she ceased to be in care.

The relationship ended in 1997.

The committee ruled that Carr’s behaviour breached his position of trust and duty of care as her social worker.

He has now been removed from the register of social workers.

In their concluding statement, the committee said Carr’s behaviour had been “fundamentally incompatible” with being a registered social worker.

They said: “The committee felt there was no other way to protect the public other than removal.”

Sir Rodney Brooke, chairman of the GSCC, said: “It is vital that the public can have confidence and trust in the social work profession and removing unsuitable people from the workforce is one way of achieving this.”

Carr can appeal against the GSCC decision.