A social worker from Cardiff has had the conditions placed on his registration extended following a Social Care Wales fitness to practise review hearing.
Sean Wharton had conditions placed on his registration in March 2020 after a Social Care Wales panel found his fitness to practise was impaired.
In a review hearing in March 2021, the panel decided to extend the conditions placed on Mr Wharton’s registration for 12 months.
Following a hearing last week to review the progress Mr Wharton had made in meeting the conditions placed on his registration, the panel found Mr Wharton’s fitness to practise was still currently impaired.
The panel concluded that while Mr Wharton had met some of the conditions and had demonstrated insight and remorse into his actions, he hadn’t met all the conditions placed on his registration.
The panel therefore decided to amend the conditions and extend the length of time Mr Wharton has to meet them by another four months.
Explaining its decision, the panel told Mr Wharton: “You informed us today that unfortunately you have not been able to return to social work since the previous fitness to practise review hearing. It remains the case that you have not therefore been able to meet the conditions which have been set.
“You are clearly remorseful regarding your previous practice and continue to demonstrate developing insight into your past misconduct. You are passionate about social care and committed to returning to the profession.
“We appreciate that your conduct took place some time ago and you have reflected on your behaviour since that time. You have informed us that you have taken your experience and used it to your advantage to inform your future behaviour.”
The panel continued: “We have decided a Conditional Registration Order remains the appropriate form of disposal. The existing order is due to expire in April 2022. We consider the appropriate course of action is to extend that order by four months, subject to a review of the order two months before its expiry.”
Mr Wharton was present at the one-day review hearing, which took place over Zoom last week.