A Somerset social worker has been struck off after attending court when she wasn’t properly registered to practice.

Charlotte Briggs was employed by Somerset County Council as part of its adult learning disability team between January 2012 and February 2016.

Concerns were raised after she failed to stay registered with her professional body in late 2015, and subsequently attended care proceedings at a court in Bristol.

At a hearing on June 21, a panel from the Health and Care Professionals Tribunal Service judged her actions had been “deplorable” and ruled to strike her off – meaning she can no longer practice as a social worker.

Ms Briggs did not attend the hearing on June 21, and no representation was present on her behalf.

The panel heard Ms Briggs did not keep up her registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) between November 2015 and January 2016, during her time of employment with the county council.

During this short period, she attended care proceedings at Bristol Crown Court, which “placed her employer at risk of serious reputational damage.”

Panel members said Ms Briggs “showed a lack of understanding and insight” about the consequences of her actions, saying her ability to practice was “impaired” and this made it more likely she would repeat such transgressions in the future.

The panel said Ms Briggs had “demonstrated an inability and unwillingness to resolve matters”, having not provided evidence in her defence during two previous periods of time when she had been suspended from duty.

In a statement submitted to the panel, Ms Briggs said social work was “definitely not an environment that I wish to return to” in light of her own experience and those of her friends.

She added she had not engaged with the HCPC “mainly because I had no desire to work as a social worker, in order to preserve my own health and well-being.”

As a result, having Ms Briggs struck off was deemed by the panel to be “the only appropriate and proportionate sanction”.

Somerset County Council said it had alerted the HCPC to Ms Briggs after concerns about her were raised internally.

But it added it had received no complaints about her conduct from those receiving help or support from the learning disabilities service.

A spokesperson said: “Our own procedures alerted us and we then highlighted this to the HCPC.

“We value social workers and always offer support and guidance to help retain good staff.

“We continue to do our regular checks in order to make sure staff are appropriately regulated, according to the rules of their professional body.

“Professional registration is now part of the wider electronic management system, with all re-registration being aligned and monitored electronically.”