Social Work England v Helen Spence
The extension of the Interim Suspension Order is necessary and proportionate for public protection pending final disciplinary hearings, but only for 12 months, not the 18 months sought, given unacceptable delays and resource constraints in listing hearings.
- Parties
- Claimant: Social Work England; Defendant: Helen Spence
- Jurisdiction
- England and Wales
- Judgment Date
- 11 November 2024
- Procedural Posture
- Judicial Review / Regulatory Extension / Application for Extension of Interim Suspension Order
- Outcome
- Application granted in part
- Legal Topics
- Interim Suspension Order, Extension of Regulatory Orders, Public Protection, Proportionality, Delay in Disciplinary Proceedings
Case Brief
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Parties
Social Work England
Claimant
Helen Spence
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review / Regulatory Extension / Application for Extension of Interim Suspension Order
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether extension of Interim Suspension Order is necessary and proportionate
- 2 Impact of delay in disciplinary proceedings on the defendant
- 3 Public protection and public interest in regulatory proceedings
Ratio Decidendi
The extension of the Interim Suspension Order is necessary and proportionate for public protection pending final disciplinary hearings, but only for 12 months, not the 18 months sought, given unacceptable delays and resource constraints in listing hearings.
Court Disposition
Application granted in part
Orders
- Interim Suspension Order extended by 12 months to 2 May 2025
- Order to be reviewed by Claimant’s Adjudicators per Social Workers Regulations 2018
Full Case Text
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