A ‘DISHONEST’ Leigh social worker has been struck off after being found guilty of misconduct.

Robert Burns made false claims about his working hours, failed to make regular visits to clients and gave false records while employed by Wigan Council.

A panel of the Health Care Professional Council heard he had persistently failed to perform his duties including failing to record information in relation to 21 families.

The council’s fostering team gave evidence that Burns’ failings had an adverse impact upon the small team and that his shortcomings undermined the safe guarding of children.

Panel chairman Andrew Gell said: “The acts and omissions covered a prolonged period of time and were multiple.

“These involve dishonesty and represent a serious departure from the standards expected.

“Given the nature of the misconduct in this case and the findings of dishonesty, the panel does not believe there is any realistic possibility of Mr Burns achieving full remediation.”

Burns was not present or represented at the hearing.

Jayne Ivory, assistant director for children and families at Wigan Council, said: “We can confirm an employee was dismissed from our employment early in 2014.

“As soon as concerns are raised we took swift action to address the matter through our own formal processes.

“The HCPC supported the action we took with regards to social work practice and which fell below the high standards of care we expect for residents.”