Removal by Agreement means that through this process, a registered person can apply to be removed from the Register without being referred to a Panel.
A registered person can apply for this at any stage in the fitness to practise process.
Applying for removal by agreement does not mean that a registered person has the right to be removed, but it enables Social Care Wales to agree to removal in an appropriate case.
Statement of agreed facts
1. On 21 January 2020, Mr Matthew Burrows ("Mr Burrows") was registered with Social Care Wales ("SCW") as a Domiciliary Care Worker.
2. Mr Burrows was employed as a support worker by CPI Care Limited in Newport, South Wales ("the employer") from 17 June 2018 until he resigned from this role on 10 January 2022.
3. On 24 November 2021, a colleague of Mr Burrows disclosed a number of concerns to their employer. Mr Burrows was suspended on that date pending an investigation.
4. As a result of the concerns, Mr Burrows' employer made a safeguarding referral. This led a safeguarding meeting held on 18 March 2022.
5. A joint Social Care and Police investigation was undertaken but no further action was taken. A referral was also made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
6. On 25 April 2022, SCW received a referral from Mr Burrows' employer.
7. On 23 June 2022 Mr Burrows emailed the SCW Fitness to Practise Senior Officer, Mr Jonathan Price ("Mr Price"), requesting to be removed from the Social Care Wales register by agreement under Rule 9 of the Investigation Rules 2020.
Allegations
That, whilst registered as a Domiciliary Care Worker and employed by CPI Care Limited:
a) on 14 November 2021:
i) you consumed alcohol whilst on duty and/or
8. The colleague reported that, on 15 November 2021, Mr Burrows had told her that whilst on shift supporting a user of care and support the day before, he had consumed alcohol when watching a rugby game at the Beaufort Rugby in Blaenau Gwent, South Wales. The user of care and support concerned also reported this when he was interviewed by the police and a social worker.
9. Mr Burrows was interviewed by his employer and admitted this allegation. During a telephone conversation with Mr Price on 26 June 2022, Mr Burrows confirmed his admission, stating that he had he “held his hands up” as this was the “right thing to do”.
ii) administered medication to a User of Care and Support whilst under the influence of alcohol.
10. The colleague also reported that Mr Burrows had informed her that whilst under the influence of alcohol, as set out in charge 1 a) i) above, he had returned to work and administered night-time medication to the user of care and support.
11. Mr Burrows admitted this allegation during the course of his employer's investigation and confirmed his admission to Mr Price during a telephone conversation on 22 June 2022.
b) on an unknown date before 24 November 2021:
i) breached a user of care and support’s confidentiality by discussing them with former staff members.
12. It was reported by a colleague that Mr Burrows had admitted breaching confidentiality by discussing a user of care and support with former staff members.
13. When Mr Burrows was interviewed by his employer, he admitted this allegation. Mr Burrows confirmed his admission to Mr Price during a telephone conversation on 22 June 2022.
Conclusion
14. Mr Burrows confirms his agreement to the facts set out in this statement.
15. It should be noted that Mr Burrows had been employed by CPI Care for four years during which time no concerns were raised regarding his practise.
16. Mr Burrows confirms that he has no intention to work any capacity requiring SCW registration in the future.
17. Mr Burrows acknowledges that if he applies for registration with SCW in the future, this statement of agreed facts will be considered in determining his suitability for registration.