Conwy care worker handed 12-month warning after impairment hearing

Richard James William Roberts, a domiciliary care worker from Conwy, appeared before a Social Care Wales 'Fitness to Practise' panel on October 10.

The hearing concerned Mr Roberts leaving a patient alone in their car on two occasions, and alone at their home and travelling to an “unknown location” in the patient’s car.

The incidents occurred on May 22, 2022.

A Fitness to Practise panel said Mr Roberts, who admitted the allegations, had risked “bringing the social care profession into disrepute”.

It warned Mr Roberts not to repeat this behaviour, as any repetition would likely result in a “finding of impaired fitness to practise”.

A such, the panel found “no current impairment” on Mr Roberts’ behalf and issued the carer a 12-month warning.

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A summary of the decision stated: “You have admitted that, on 22 May 2022, whilst registered as a Domiciliary Care Worker and employed by Focus Care Wales, and during the course of a shift at the home of Person A, a user of care and support:

1. At approximately 19:50, you left Person A’s home and travelled in Person A’s car to two different locations.
2. Upon arrival at each of the locations referred to in 1 above, you left Person A alone in the car.
3. At approximately 22:22, you left Person A alone at their home and travelled in their car to an unknown location.

“This constituted a breach of the Code of Professional Practice for Social Care, and particularly Sections 1.1, 2.1 and 3.1

“Behaviour of this nature risks bringing the social care profession into disrepute.

“This behaviour must not be repeated. Any repetition is likely to lead to a finding of impaired fitness to practise.

“We therefore impose a Warning for a period of twelve months from today.”

Mr Roberts has the right of appeal to the Care Standards Tribunal within 28 days.