Council head struck off after making indecent images of children


Council head struck off after making indecent images of children

A top Hampshire social worker has been struck off after he admitted making indecent images of children.

Simon J Cartland was employed as head of learning disabilities at Hampshire County Council’s adults’ health and care.

The charges he pleaded guilty to included Category A movies – regarded as the most severe form.

The Health and Care Professional Tribunal Service heard that Cartland had been convicted of the crimes at Guildford Crown Court in April last year.

The tribunal was handed a letter he’d sent to his employers in which he acknowledged that his behaviour constituted ‘a complete breach of trust’.

He said he realised “the horror of the absolute hurt, anger and deep pain that I have caused my husband, family and friends and no doubt work colleagues, in addition to those service users I have served in Hampshire, is and will be immeasurable”.

“I fully accept that my behaviour has perpetrated the on going harm and abuse of children and though I am engulfed in feelings of utter remorse and shame, I am committed to face the consequences of my actions and will reflect and learn from them until the day I die,” he said.

The tribunal heard that Cartland had entered guilty pleas to both charges and had been sentenced to a community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement and an unpaid work requirement (80 hours) for a period of 12 months.

He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for a period of five years and required to register with the police in accordance with the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for a period of five years.

In an email to the HCPC he added: “My behaviour in downloading and viewing the four indecent images, not only is a complete breach of HCPC professional standards, but is a shameful failure of the values and principles regarding human rights and anti-discrimination practice that were central to my practice, leadership and personal life.

“I fully accept that there is only one right outcome to your investigation, for me to be struck off.

“As for the future, I will forever be honest about the harm that I’ve caused, in addition will be candid and open regarding the deep remorse of my behaviour regarding this offence.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “We understand that Simon Cartland has been struck off as a registered social worker by the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service.

“The offences to which he pleaded guilty and which were considered by the tribunal were unconnected to his work at the county council – and he no longer works for the authority.”