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
Introduction
1. Mr Lawrence Vaughan (Mr Vaughan) registered with Social Care Wales (SCW) as a Residential Child Care Worker on 20 May 2015.
2. Mr Vaughan was employed by Crystal Care Solutions (CCS) as a Support Worker between 17 January 2019 and 12 February 2020.
3. Mr Vaughan was dismissed from employment following a disciplinary hearing that took place on 31 January 2020, which considered allegations unrelated to those below. As a result, the allegations below have not been considered at a disciplinary hearing.
4. The events that are the subject of these allegations all took place on 11 and 12 October 2019.
5. The allegations relate to Young Persons A and B. Young Person A was present at the Home for part of the time on 11 and 12 October 2019. Young Person A is at risk of childhood sexual exploitation. This risk was documented on Young Person A's risk assessment and was known by Mr Vaughan. Due to Young Person A's concerns about Mr Vaughan's behaviour on 11 October 2019, they left the Home and went to the nearest police station, where one of Mr Vaughan's colleagues picked them up.
6. Young Person B only had contact with Mr Vaughan by telephone on 11 October 2019.
Allegations
That you, whilst registered as a Residential Child Care Worker whilst employed by Crystal Care Solutions (CCS):
(1) On 11 and/or 12 October 2019, behaved inappropriately towards Young Person A in that you:
1.a Told Young Person A that you would take them out for a meal
7. Mr Vaughan admitted when interviewed that he told Young Person A that he would take them out for a meal because they were on their own.
1.b Told Young Person A that you loved them
8. Mr Vaughan states that he is likely to have said something along the lines of, "you're lovely," and "I love you," but not in a sinister way. Mr Vaughan accepted that it might have come across inappropriately because of the side-effects of the prescription medication he was taking.
(2) On 11 and/or 12 October 2019, did not adequately supervise Young Person A in that they left the home at approximately 23:30 without your knowledge.
9. Mr Vaughan recalls Young Person A stepping out to have a cigarette at around
23:30 but having fallen asleep after this, was unaware that they had not returned, until notified by a colleague at around 01:30 on 12 October 2019.
(3) On 11 and/or 12 October 2019, did not take any/any appropriate steps to implement local protocols in respect of a missing person.
10. Mr Vaughan admits that he did not follow any local protocols in respect of Young Person A leaving the home, as he was not aware that Young Person A had left the home.
(4) Behaved inappropriately towards Young Person B in that you:
4.a On 11 and/or 12 October 2019, said words to the effect of, "I miss ya," "I fancy you," and "you are just a perfect girl," to Young Person B.
11. Mr Vaughan states that he would have said something like, "you're amazing," "you're doing well," "keep up the good work," "you are a lovely person," "you should be proud of how well you are progressing."
4.b On an unknown date, disclosed personal information to Young Person B.
12. Mr Vaughan admits that he disclosed personal information to Young Person B, as there is no other way that they could have known the information.
(5) Did not maintain clear and accurate records.
13. Mr Vaughan admits that he did not complete records for Young Persons A and B during his shift on 11 October 2019. Mr Vaughan intended to complete the records the following day.
(6) Did not maintain the home to a satisfactory standard in that:
6.a Takeaway containers were left out;
6.b Urine was on the toilet seat and surrounding floor; and/or
6.c The home was lacking in overall cleanliness.
14. Mr Vaughan has admitted that the home was not in a good state. He did not clean up after himself. He admitted that takeaway containers were left out, and that it is possible he made a mess when using the toilet.
Conclusion
15. Mr Vaughan confirms his agreement to the facts set out in this statement.
16. Mr Vaughan confirms that it is not his intention to work in the future in any capacity which would require him to be registered by SCW and that he wishes his name to be removed from SCW's register by agreement under Rule 9 of the Investigation Rules 2020. This statement of agreed facts has been prepared for that purpose.
17. If, contrary to his expressed intention, Mr Vaughan should make an application for registration with SCW at a future date, he acknowledges that SCW will have regard to the contents of this statement of agreed facts when considering such an application.