Crooked social worker kicked out of the profession

A social worker who claimed almost £1,000 for shifts he never worked has been struck off.

Andrew Bickley falsified timesheets and claimed payment of £946 when he was working for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service in Fitzrovia through Caritas Recruitment.

He also forged a supervisors signature to make sure he got the money the Health and Care Professions Council heard.

Bickley was based in the Early Intervention Team, and had been responsible for children going through the family court system.

Concerns had been raised about his timesheets, with Bickley falsely claiming he worked 9-5 on 12 days in September 2013.

Not only did he lie about the hours, he then falsified approval on his timesheets, forging the signature of the CAFCASS Enhanced Service Manager, therefore validating his claims to Caritas.

While he did not give evidence, the panel saw a letter from Bickley from November 2013 where he claimed neither he nor his wife acted dishonestly, and they both believed his timesheets were checked and authorised.

The panel dismissed this, saying it was ‘incapable of belief’.

Not a penny of the £946 was paid to his employer, despite Bickley promising to do so.

The HCPC found that his actions showed serious dishonesty, and there was a risk of repetition.

Striking him from the register, HCPC panel chairman William Nelson said: ‘Through his misconduct in this case, the Registrant has demonstrated a lack of integrity which renders him unfit to be a Social Worker.

‘He has never acknowledged his wrongdoing or expressed remorse.

‘The misconduct involved repeated acts of serious dishonesty for personal financial gain.

‘The only appropriate and proportionate sanction to impose is that of a Striking Off Order.’

Bickley, who was not present at the hearing in central London, was struck off.
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