A FORMER social worker at Warrington Borough Council has been disciplined after inviting a mother and child into her home to conduct a formal meeting.

Venetia Tsiaka, originally from Greece, was found to have committed misconduct by an independent committee of the General Social Care Council (GSCC) and issued with a three-year admonishment, a caution set alongside her name on the public register.

The committee heard that in March 2006 Tsiaka, then living in Warrington, invited the child, her sister and mother into her home to continue a meeting after the original venue had closed.

They found that by doing so Tsiaka had placed herself and her clients in a vulnerable position and disregarded safe working practices. This was a breach of the code of practice that all social workers sign up to.

Tsiaka, who was not present at the hearing and is now living in Greece, was cleared of additional allegations that she had inappropriate physical contact with the same child.

Rosie Varley, chairman of the GSCC, said: “People who use services have a right to expect that their social worker is working in accordance with best practice and in a safe and effective way.

“The majority of social workers have no difficulty in doing this. For those that are not able to meet the standards required, it is vital that we address any issues and take necessary action to safeguard public confidence in social care services.”