Social Work England v Rebecca Gardner
[2024] EWHC 186 (Admin)
Social Work England v Sara Farnsworth
5 October 2023
[2023] EWHC 2455 (Admin)
High Court
A social worker was temporarily suspended. The court extended the suspension because of serious allegations against her, to keep the public safe. The court also made a rule about giving notice before anyone asks for copies of case documents.
Key Facts
- •Social Work England (SWE) sought a 10-month extension to an Interim Suspension Order (ISO) against Sara Farnsworth.
- •The ISO was initially imposed on 11 August 2022 for 14 months and was due to expire on 10 October 2023.
- •The allegations against Farnsworth relate to her failure to appropriately engage, respond, and cooperate in a case involving a 12-year-old child under investigation by the police and social services.
- •Farnsworth did not appear at the hearing.
- •The extension was sought under Schedule 2 §14 of the Social Workers Regulations 2018.
Legal Principles
Necessity for the protection of the public, including public confidence, to extend an ISO.
Schedule 2 §14 of the Social Workers Regulations 2018
Guidance on extending interim suspension orders.
GMC v Hiew [2007] EWCA Civ 369
Court's power to restrict access to documents.
CPR 5.4C
Outcomes
The court granted a 10-month extension to the ISO until 9 August 2024.
The court found that SWE demonstrated the necessity of the extension for public protection and confidence, considering the seriousness of the allegations and the ongoing investigation.
The court ordered that any non-party application under CPR 5.4C for documents requires 14 days' notice to the parties.
This was deemed necessary due to redactions in the case documents and to allow the court to deal with applications on an informed basis.