A senior social worker who masqueraded as a modeling scout to encourage teenage girls to pose topless has been found guilty of misconduct.

 

Christopher Hardman, 55, abused his position as manager of Kirklees Metropolitan Council to obtain the details of several vulnerable girls aged 15-18 before contacting them under an assumed identity.

 

Using the name “Sue” and claiming to represent a legitimate modelling agency, Hardman sent letters and text messages to the girls offering money in exchange for nude and semi-nude shots.

 

One 16 year old was told she would be paid £80 for posing topless or £120 if she agreed to being photographed nude. She was also asked to bring two sets of lingerie to the photo shoot.

 

Responding to one girl’s concerns that her parents would never allow her to pose naked, Hardman said “None of them tell their parents, just do it girl.”

 

Hardman was eventually traced following the arrest of photographer David Hemingway in February 2006, who took the photographs on his behalf.

 

Although Hardman did not face police prosecution for his actions, the General Social Care Council (GSSC), with whom he was registered, investigated and found him guilty of misconduct at a hearing in Central London.

 

“This was an elaborate and sophisticated scheme deliberately targeting young women, the majority of whom were service users and two of whom were vulnerable,” said Sarah Phillips, Chairperson of the Committee.

 

Hardman, who admitted the offenses, resigned from the Council, but was told by his employers that he would have been dismissed in any event.

 

Following the decision to strike off Hardman, the GSSC were at pains to point of that this was an isolated case and should not damage public trust in the social care profession.

 

“The vast majority of social workers, and there are almost 80,000 on our register, have no difficulty with this because they are absolutely committed to working within the best interest of the service user at all times,” commented Rosie Varley, Chair of the GSSC.