A learning support worker who referred to ADHD as "naughty b*****d syndrome", a lecturer who caused death and serious injury by dangerous driving, and a support and youth worker arrested by Gwent Police on criminal charges of human trafficking, child abduction, and conspiracy to commit theft were among cases coming before professional standards committees this term. The Education Workforce Council (EWC) Wales is tasked with maintaining standards of professional conduct among teachers and support staff in schools and colleges. The EWC can strike staff off, or impose official reprimands, if they find evidence of misconduct.
Fitness to practise panels were busy this term. In some cases they imposed reprimands and in others they struck people off the register meaning they cannot return to work in classrooms before a set period of time and without applying to re-register – and even then there's no guarantee.
Some hearings are held in private for child protection reasons and some are held in person but most have been held remotely since the coronavirus pandemic. These are the details and outcomes for EWC hearings held from January to early March 2023.
