A FORMER social worker for the Vale of Glamorgan Council has been suspended for one year, after a hearing discovered his repeated failings put children at risk.

The hearing heard that Michael Sira-Parfitt failed to complete assessments or make essential referrals, as well as failing to pay visits to families which put children at a risk of harm.

Social Care Wales were satisfied that the evidence against Mr Sira-Parfitt was sufficient to prove wrongdoing in all 11 of the charges against him, which included four separate incidences in which children were placed in harm's way as a result of his conduct or inaction.

The allegations surrounded Mr Sira-Parfitt’s employment by the Children’s Services Department at the Vale of Glamorgan Council between November 2014 and May 2016.

The committee heard from a number of witnesses, including Mr Sira-Parfitt, who was present at the four-day hearing at Social Care Wales’ Cardiff office last week.

Having heard all the evidence, the committee concluded that Mr Sira-Parfitt’s fitness to practise was impaired because of his misconduct and that he failed to meet a number of standards in the Code of Professional Practice for Social Care.

The committee said: “We determined that Mr Sira-Parfitt repeatedly failed to carry out basic tasks over a long period in a significant number of cases. He clearly had the skills and experience to perform the work to a good standard as the witnesses acknowledged.

“(His omissions) formed a prolonged pattern of behaviour and Mr Sira-Parfitt made it very clear during the fact finding stage of these proceedings that he accepts little or no responsibility for any failings.”

The committee chose to impose a one-year suspension order, starting from October 24. 2017, saying: “We decided that suspension for one year will serve to mark that Mr Sira-Parfitt’s omissions were unacceptable and will afford him the opportunity to reflect on his future practice.”

An NSPCC Wales spokesman said: “It is imperative that those responsible for the care and supervision of children protect them from harm and always ensure their safety.

“The committee concluded that Sire-Parfitt failed to adhere to those professional standards and it is right that he has faced the consequences.

“Every child should be protected from harm and expect the highest standards when in the care of local authorities.”