Social Work England -v- ABC

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity Order

Claim No. AC-2024-LDS-000141

In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division
Administrative Court at Leeds

30 July 2024

In the matter of an application to extend an interim order under paragraph 14(2) of Schedule 2 of the Social Workers Regulations 2018 (as amended)

Before:

Her Honour Judge Kelly sitting as a High Court Judge

Between:

Social Work England

-v-

ABC


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ANONYMITY ORDER

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Recitals:

1) Social Work England (“SWE”) applied on 3 July 2024 for an extension to the period of the interim suspension imposed on the Defendant’s registration with the Claimant, as set out below.
2) SWE was represented by Scott Smith, counsel for the Claimant, at a remote hearing (via MS Teams). The Defendant did not appear and was not represented.
3) The court read the witness statement of Eleanor Poole dated 2 July 2024, the witness statement of Rachel McAssey dated 26 July 2024, the Claimant’s hearing bundle, and the Claimant’s supplementary hearing bundle and considered the skeleton arguments dated 18 July 2024 and 26 July 2024.
4) The court was satisfied that these proceedings have been served on the Defendant and that it was appropriate to proceed in the absence of the Defendant.
5) On 30 July 2024, the Claimant applied for the following orders:
a. The interim order made by the Claimant’s Adjudicators on 11 August 2022 which would otherwise expire on 9 August 2024 be extended by a further 18 months until 23.59hrs on 8 February 2026.
b. Pursuant to CPR 39.2(4), there shall be no publication of the name of the Defendant or the child involved in the claim (“Child A”); and, in any event.
c. The parties shall be given 14 days’ notice of any application by a non-party to obtain documents other than the claim form, any judgment or order pursuant to CPR 5.4C(2) and have the opportunity to respond before the application is considered by the court.
d. The Claimant is permitted to rely on the additional documents below in accordance with CPR rule 8.6.(1)(b):
i. Supplementary witness statement of Rachel McAssey, dated 26 July 2024
ii. Exhibit RM/1- Disclosure Letter, dated 24 July 2024
iii. Exhibit RM/2- Statement of Case, dated 24 July 2024
iv. Supplementary skeleton argument, dated 26 July 2024
6) The court gave judgment at the hearing.

IT IS ORDERED THAT:

  1. The Defendant is permitted to rely on the additional documents below in accordance with CPR rule 8.6.(1)(b):
    a. Supplementary witness statement of Rachel McAssey, dated 26 July 2024
    b. Exhibit RM/1- Disclosure Letter, dated 24 July 2024
    c. Exhibit RM/2- Statement of Case, dated 24 July 2024
    d. Supplementary skeleton argument, dated 26 July 2024
  2. The interim order made by the Claimant’s Adjudicators on 11 August 2022 which would otherwise expire on 9 August 2024 be extended by a further 18 months until 23.59hrs on 8 February 2026.
  3. Pursuant to CPR 39.2(4), there shall be no publication of the name of the Defendant or Child A, and no publication of anything which might lead to their identification.
  4. Pursuant to CPR 5.4C(2), any application by a non-party under CPR 5.4C to obtain documents other than the claim form, any judgment or order shall be made on at least 14 days’ notice to the parties.
  5. The parties have permission to file witness statements in response to any such application for disclosure (including making proposals for editing/ redacting sensitive content).
  6. Any application for a transcript of the oral judgment given shall be referred to HHJ Kelly.
  7. Any non-party affected by this order has permission to apply, in writing and on notice to the parties, to abridge the time for notice required by paragraph 3 of this order.
  8. There shall be no order as to costs.
  9. Pursuant to CPR 39.2(5), this order shall be published on the website of the Judiciary of England and Wales.
  10. Any non-party affected by this order may apply on notice to all parties to have this order varied or set aside.