I know where your kids go to school

December 9, 2009 permalink

British social worker Verona Reeves threatened a family with the words: “I know where you live and I know where your kids go to school, and they better watch out”.

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Smethwick social worker faces being struck off after intimidation claims

Dec 7 2009 by Ben Goldby, Sunday Mercury

A SOCIAL worker accused by her neighbours of threatening their children could be struck off.

Verona Reeves, from Smethwick, West Midlands, who has previous convictions for theft, will go before the General Social Care Council’s (GSCC) panel in London to face charges that she intimidated the youngsters in front of their mum and dad.

She is accused of telling two parents in June 2006: “I know where you live and I know where your kids go to school, and they better watch out.”

Ms Reeves also faces action over criminal charges brought in December 2006 for theft and obtaining property by deception, and her failure to inform the GSCC about criminal proceedings against her.

She was convicted by Dudley Magistrates Court on December 18, 2006, of stealing a Mint credit card, stealing £300 in cash, buying clothes with the stolen credit card, stealing £200 from Royal Bank of Scotland and buying £190 of shopping at Tesco with the stolen card.

Her failure to inform the GSCC of her convictions means that she faces charges of dishonesty when she goes before the disciplinary board.

It also emerged last night that Reeves was suspended in March, 2008, for six months following another hearing, but continued working for Birmingham City Council until the following May, flouting the GSCC’s ruling.

A spokesman for Birmingham City Council said: “Until the GSCC hearing has been dealt with it would not be appropriate for us to comment on any of the details surrounding this case.”

Ms Reeves had been due to face a full hearing of the GSCC’s independent conduct committee tomorrow, but the case has now been postponed while she consults with her legal team. The panel could strike her off the GSCC register or suspend her from practising as a social worker.

A spokeswoman for the GSCC said: “To work as a social worker you must be registered with the GSCC, and we have an independent conduct committee which will review who is, or is not, suitable to stay on that register.”

In October a government review into Birmingham City Council’s social services department branded it “not fit for purpose”.

The inquiry was commissioned after eight children known to social services died in the space of just four years, including seven year-old Khyra Ishaq, from Handsworth, who was found starved to death last year.

Councillor Les Lawrence, cabinet member for children, young people and families, claims that more social workers have now been recruited.

Source: Sunday Mercury