Social worker facing 15 misconduct charges

Published on Wednesday 11 November 2009 21:47

A SOCIAL worker has been charged with 15 counts of serious misconduct.

Andrew Bennett was employed by Dundee City Council social work department, which was criticised after the murder of toddler Brandon Muir at the hands of his mother's partner.

Yesterday Mr Bennett faced 15 serious misconduct charges – including a charge of failing to protect an infant child.

At a Scottish Social Services Council conduct hearing in Dundee, the extent of Bennett's alleged shambolic misconduct came to light for the first time.

Dominique Chawin, Mr Bennett's manager at the Dundee City Council community and mental health social work team, was "shocked" by the extent of his failings. She

said: "If a referral has not been put into the system, then nobody would know it even existed."

Mr Bennett admits failing to log referrals into the social work computer system, but denies failing to keep confidential service users' information secure.

The hearing continues.