Drunk East Sussex children’s social worker spat at bouncer

Amanda Bates had been drinking with colleagues in Eastbourne on a Friday night when a doorman decided she was too drunk to be allowed back into the bar.

Bates was said to be ‘extremely intoxicated’ after necking around five large glasses of wine and a chaser.

Bates, who worked as a social worker in the children’s department at East Sussex County Council, tried to barge past the doorman but ended up stumbling to the floor.

She spat at the bouncer, swore at him and also abused a member of the public who tried to help her, the Health & Care Professions Council heard.

Bates then told police officers on the scene that her father was also a cop who would have them all sacked.

She was later handed a police caution for common assault after the incident on the evening of Friday September 5 last year.

Mr Simon Walters, for the HCPC, said, “The behaviour of the registrant was entirely contrary to the fundamental tenets of her profession.

“She did not act in a manner becoming of a social worker and you will have to consider whether this brought the profession into disrepute.”

Bates had been working with the family support team for almost four years before the incident.

She was interviewed as part of an internal investigation on September 29 where she admitted she was ‘ashamed’ of her actions and ‘felt stupid because she had acted like an idiot’.

Bates was then dismissed after an internal investigation on November 21.

“There is no criticism of the registrant’s social work practise in this case,” said Mr Walters.

“However, that does not mean that this case is any less serious.

“Naturally it is our case that the registrant’s actions are extremely serious and that her fitness to practise is currently impaired.”

If the panel finds Bates’ fitness to practise impaired she could be struck off.

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