It seems the GSCC have been up to no good again. Yes, those not very nice people at the GSCC which Wilt considers as firkin Dorks.

In a recent publication the CST deemed the Regulator as disproportionate and ill sourced in its evidence against a prospective Registrant of the GSCC as a social worker. In fact it called the GSCC determination “draconian.” Yes draconian. For those at the GSCC, that means disproportionate and utterly out of order, or put more simply exceedingly harsh; very severe, cruel. Look it up in a dictionary, why don’t you.

It makes me so angry when these people set out to ruin the life and career of perfectly reasonable workers who deserve a great deal better from a regulator. Exactly whose needs are you meeting?

The public – no!

The Profession – no!

Service users – no!

Themselves – yes, you are self serving.

This is the case of Christine Jones who made a few errors and she admits herself was a bit “silly” in a case matter probably then well beyond her experience but which unfortunately involved a County Court Judge hearing her evidence which was, she admits, less than adequate in the care proceedings of the child. She was disciplined, sacked by her employer, NCH, but went on to do other work in social care not requiring her registration as a qualified social worker. She admitted her failings (although in fact they were minor compared to others implicated) and decided a few years later to seek registration. Events had hitherto taken place before standards of practice were established in law and before registration was required.

Interestingly though, Christine throughout these events had studied for and sought a post qualification social work award which was in fact awarded by, wait for it – yes the GSCC.

So, on the one hand the GSCC give an advanced qualification in social work and then later, deny the same person Registration! Mmmmmmm.

OK, Wilt needs to lie down in a dark room at this point, reflect, muse and try to understand. Regrettably the contradictions cause him to have a severe desire to just go to the pub – he resisted after realising, this is the GSCC, what firkin else would one expect!

What planet do these fools at the GSCC live on? It aint for certain, mother earth.

I mean I know Wilt is a bit rude about the GSCC but really one could not make up this tale of sheer horror – it sounds like a fairy tale, but it aint! It is simple incompetence and a drive on the part of the GSCC in a futile attempt to earn their spurs as a regulator. They could not regulate the attachment of a paperclip to a few pages, let alone the complex nature of social care practice.

Here are some quotes from the Care Standards Tribunal findings:

“She [Christine Jones] clearly understands what she should have done and we do not consider that she lacks insight into the implications of what she did.  There is evidence that both the project manager [NCH] and her current line manager thought highly of her professional abilities and, of course, she has received her post-qualification award despite the Respondent [The GSCC] knowing of her misconduct.”

So the GSCC knowingly awarded her a PQ award in full knowledge of her admission of guilt. Perhaps the GSCC were having a nice feeling, cuddly and lets be nice day. Mmmmmmm. Those days, if they exist are few and far between.

“The imposition of disproportionate sanctions would weaken the profession by affecting morale and recruitment.  It must also be remembered that it may not only be the individual social worker who suffers a loss if she or he is not allowed to practise.  If the person concerned has talents, those are lost to the profession and to those children or vulnerable adults who might have benefited from them.”

Thank Gawd for common sense –the CST have it but the GSCC is somewhat lacking on that account. What must these people at the GSCC think when they read these findings? Indeed do they read them, does it perculate down to those on the Registration Team or Conduct Team and if so what exactly prevents them time and again from learning lessons?

Or is it they simply do not give a shit and think the CST is misplaced in their findings? Well, Wilt knows the GSCC are not fans of the CST and find their interventions unhelpful, heard directly (with a witness) from the mouth of a senior executive (sic) at the organisation. Wilt’s assessment, they do not give a shit, so long as they get paid at the end of the month. Oh and they do get bonuses? Yes Bonuses! For what exactly?

Answers please on a note to Wilt.

So what else did the CST say:

“Had the Appellant [Christine Jones] already been registered, we consider that removal from the register would have been an excessive sanction.  As she was not registered, it is unnecessary for us to express a view as to what other sanction might have been appropriate.”

The critical observation is however:

Refusal to register her [Christine Jones] would be draconian.

And so, Christine Jones is Registered, and Wilt is pleased. Good on yer Christine, good fortune and we hope you prosper and serve as a valued professional.

The full report of the CST hearing can be downloaded here, courtesy of the CST. CJ v GSCC Decision.doc FTT

Wilt (grrrrr)