12 charges against social worker in Liam Fee case upheld

The panel found that Lesley Bate, 60, had failed Liam and 14 other children and that in some cases these failings amounted to neglect.

Mrs Bate, who chose not to appear before the sub-committee and has relinquished her social work registration, denied all the charges.

The hearing will now determine which sanctions to impose.

Following Liam’s death, Mrs Bate was made the subject of a disciplinary investigation and was moved to a different team on returning to the council. However, her boss, James Ross, previously said her work was “poor” and that he had “serious questions about her assessment of risk” following Liam’s death.

Mr Ross said: “There had been a lengthy investigation into Lesley’s work before she came to my team. That had concluded she be given an opportunity to practise elsewhere in the service.

“She was probably the most erratic person I have worked with. She was fine when there was no work to be undertaken - but the minute anything was required she failed to undertake it.

“She absolutely could not understand risk at that point and I had a real concern about her visiting families and drawing a conclusion about what the information was telling her.

“She was very disorganised and presented chaotically. I constantly tidied up for her because I wanted the children to be safe.”