Social worker "put children at risk"

Jeanette Russell faces a string of allegations over her conduct while employed by Rotherham Borough Council.

She is alleged to have removed a child from her carer against a judge’s advice and allowed children to visit their mother in an unsafe environment while working for the borough council.

Russell, allegedly a victim of domestic abuse between 2005 and 2009, is also accused of failing to reveal incidents in her personal life that could have impacted on her professional capability.

At a hearing in London on Tuesday, the General Social Care Council (GSCC) heard how Russell made changes on the social work database without permission and pretended to have authorisation to remove a child from her carer.

On various occasions between 2005 and 2007, and despite receiving a verbal warning from her boss, Russell allegedly accessed the social care computer system used by the council to modify records in relation to her family.

It is claimed that Russell also acted “inappropriately and contrary to advice” in relation to a client known as child C on October 6, 2006.

The council heard that Russell “misled” child C’s carer about the decision to move her and later falsely documented that her senior manager had approved the move.

The hearing is due to finish tomorrow.