Social Worker censured over child's injuries and death

Sanam Navsarka -
murdered

A social worker in West Yorkshire, UK who failed to pass on information about the abuse of a toddler a week before she was murdered has been found guilty of misconduct.

Judyth Kenworthy was warned that two-year-old Sanam Navsarka had a bruise on her head and had been locked in a cupboard - but did not act.

The General Social Care Council is to decide what sanction she will face.

Sanam, of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, was murdered in May 2008 by her mother's partner.

She had more than 100 injuries.

'Extremely busy'

Mrs Kenworthy, a former family placement officer at Kirklees Council, had denied being told about the cupboard incident but a General Social Care Council committee found this to be untrue, following a hearing in London.

Mrs Kenworthy had admitted failing to pass on warning about the bruise on the child's head, saying she had been "extremely busy" at the time.

She had also agreed that no measures were taken to safeguard Sanam as a result of her actions and admitted withholding information when she gave a statement to police.

Detailing why her actions amounted to misconduct, the committee said: "The registrant was not trustworthy in her dealings with the police, concealing relevant information in a criminal investigation."

It added: "She did not communicate the information given to her to anyone within social services, nor was she accurate and straightforward in her dealings with the police.The committee said Mrs Kenworthy should not have dismissed a concern about a child without investigation.

"The registrant put others at risk and such behaviour undermines public trust and confidence in the social care services.

"The registrant's practices did not meet the standards required of a social worker.

Shattered leg

"At the very least she did not work in a safe and effective way. The public expects social care workers to be trustworthy and to work to relevant standards.

"Confidence in the social care services would be undermined if they do not."

Sanam died after being beaten over four weeks and was found with fractures to all her limbs. A metal pole was used to shatter one of her legs.

Hand prints and bloodstains were found inside cupboards, where she had been put as a punishment.

Her mother Zahbeena Navsarka, 21, was jailed for nine years for manslaughter. Her mother's partner Subhan Anwar, 21, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years for her murder.

Thanks to BBC News for this report.

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