TWO Hertfordshire County Council social workers have been disciplined for serious professional failings, with one struck off and the other suspended.

Abraham Agbodo, who has been banned from practising as a social worker again, shouted at a colleague, threw paperwork at a manager and failed patients.

Maria Austin, meanwhile, lied about her past, disrespected colleagues and fell asleep during an important child protection conference. She has been suspended for a period of 12 months.

Both sanctions have been handed out by the General Social Care Council (GCSS) – responsible for the regulation of social workers up and down the country.

Mr Agbodo, who received the most serious sanction available to the council, was found guilty of refusing to wear protective gloves during a hospital visit and also of failing two vulnerable patients by inadequately assessing their needs and failing to arrange appropriate discharge care packages.

He also shouted at and intimidated a female nurse and threw paperwork at a manager. In addition, the council ruled, he attempted to discuss the details of the disciplinary case against him with a colleague – something that was clearly forbidden.

Although he was cleared of a number of other allegations, Mr Agbodo has been removed from the GCSS register.

Maria Austin, meanwhile, who worked to safeguard young children on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council, was also found guilty of misconduct and suspended for a period of 12 months.

The council found her guilty of a number of offences, including failure to disclose her previous employment history, failing to conduct an interview with vulnerable children in an appropriate manner, behaving rudely towards a colleague and failing to obey an instruction from her superiors.

The GSCC also found proven an allegation that Ms Austin had fallen asleep during a child protection conference in September 2009.

She will be breaking the law if she attempts to gain employment in the social work field during this time.