Morgan v Buckinghamshire Council [2022]

The claimant was a supervising social worker in the respondent’s fostering team.   She was dismissed following a matter in which she had given gifts to a child she was responsible for.  As part of the Safe Working Practice Guidance the claimant, and other professionals, were reminded of ensuring that there were appropriate boundaries kept.   The Code of Conduct expressly stated about gifts stating that it should be part of an agreed policy for supporting positive behaviour and that it may have to be discussed with a senior manager, parent or carer.   The issue came to light when there was a new line manager and he had become aware of boundaries crossing