SOCIAL worker Deborah Lamie has been struck off for failing to instigate care proceedings for four children, which she then attempted to conceal, whilst working for Middlesbrough Council.

A panel of the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) Conduct and Competence Committee heard that Lamie failed to instigate the proceedings over a 15-month period. She lied to both her colleagues and the children during that period by claiming that care proceedings were ongoing, that a legal guardian had been appointed to act for the children and that a judge had given advice about the conduct of the case.

The panel further heard that she then fabricated documents in an attempt to conceal from her team leader that she had lied. She maintained these lies until formal investigation by the council.

Panel chairwoman Jennifer Rogers commented: “The panel considered that the registrant’s misconduct resulted in demonstrable harm. Her course of dishonest conduct continued over a period of 15 months and resulted in delay of court proceedings relating to the children in her care for over one year.

“This caused anger and frustration to the children themselves and delayed important decisions relating to provision for their welfare. Her misconduct inevitably undermined trust in her, her colleagues and her profession.”

The panel decided the most appropriate action was to strike Lamie from the HCPC register with an interim suspension order in place to cover the appeal period.

She was not present or represented at the hearing.