Social worker demands council apology

A SOCIAL worker unfairly dismissed by Oldham Council following the death of a man in his care wants an apology following the dropping of misconduct and incompetence claims against him.

Graham Hennis (56) was fired after he was accused by his council bosses of neglecting the man - identified only as “GS” - before his death. A tribunal in August heard how Mr Hennis was blamed when GS fell from a bridge in March 2013, even though the man had displayed no suicidal inclinations.

Mr Hennis won a claim for unfair dismissal after the investigation into the death was described as seriously flawed, since the council had begun with “a mind-set predisposed to find the claimant guilty.” A coroner had earlier recorded an open verdict at an inquest into GS’s death.

The Health and Care Profession Council this week discontinued the claims against Mr Hennis.

He said: “This now means the coroner, the tribunal and the HCPC don’t believe I was at fault. I don’t know what more proof I need. I have been through a lot and what the council did to me was appalling. I hope by fighting it and winning I can help anyone else they might do this to. Even if Oldham Council just apologised to me, that would be something.”

The council accused Mr Hennis of failing to ensure conditions of a community treatment order were complied with, failing to conduct a follow-up meeting, failing to maintain adequate records and failing to communicate with fellow healthcare professionals in relation to GS’s case.

The decision states “There are no significant public protection issues involved in these allegations, even though they purport to span both misconduct and competency issues.

“The panel is also satisfied, on balance, that there is no overriding public interest in pursuing these allegations.”

Despite this decision, Oldham Council is standing by its action. Speaking after the tribunal, Councillor Jenny Harrison, cabinet member for social care, said: “We remain convinced we acted appropriately in this case and applied the level of scrutiny, oversight and accountability appropriate to the seniority and experience of the social worker in question.” The council has declined to make any further comment.

Mr Hennis has now reached a financial settlement with the council.