Publication date: 20 December 2024

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 17, 18 and 19 December 2024, has found allegations of unacceptable professional conduct and relevant offence proved against further education learning support worker, Anthony Morris.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that Mr Morris:

1. in or around November 2022, engaged in inappropriate physical contact with Colleague A in that he tapped their buttocks
2. between August 2022 and May 2023, demonstrated poor timekeeping in that on more than one occasion, he:
   1. arrived at the College later than his contracted start time
   2. left the College earlier than his contracted finish time
3. between August 2022 and May 2023, demonstrated poor maintenance of the workshop in that on more than one occasion, he left machines untidy
4. on 3 June 2022, submitted an application to the EWC to register in the category of Further Education Learning Support Worker, and indicated in the declarations section that he did not have any convictions, when this was incorrect
5. on 2 October 2023, submitted an application to the EWC to register in the category of Work Based Learning Practitioner, and indicated in the declarations section that he did not have any convictions, when this was incorrect
6. on 21 April 2017, was convicted at Conwy Magistrates’ Court of Destroying or Damaging Property, contrary to sections 1(1) and 4 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971. As a consequence of this offence, on 28 April 2017, was sentenced to a Community Order and required to carry out 250 hours unpaid work by 27 October 2018. He was further ordered to pay £281.75 in compensation
7. on 21 April 2017, was convicted at Conwy Magistrates’ Court of Destroying or Damaging Property, contrary to sections 1 (1) and 4 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971. As a consequence of this offence, on 28 April 2017, was sentenced to a Community Order and required to carry out 250 hours unpaid work by 27 October 2018
8. on 21 April 2017, was convicted at Conwy Magistrates’ Court of Destroying or Damaging Property, contrary to sections 1 (1) and 4 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971. As a consequence of this offence, on 28 April 2017, was sentenced to a Community Order and required to carry out 250 hours unpaid work by 27 October 2018. He was further ordered to pay £458 in compensation
9. on 21 April 2017, was convicted at Conwy Magistrates’ Court of Destroying or Damaging Property, contrary to sections 1 (1) and 4 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971. As a consequence of this offence, on 28 April 2017, was sentenced to a Community Order and required to carry out 250 hours unpaid work by 27 October 2018
10. on 22 December 2017, was convicted at North Wales Magistrates’ Court of Failing to comply with the Requirements of a Community Order made on 28 April 2017 by failing to attend an appointment on 27 November 2017, contrary to Part 2 of Schedule 8 to the Criminal Justice Act 2003. As a consequence of this offence, on 22 December 2017, the original unpaid work requirement was to continue, and Mr Morris was made subject to a 2 week electronic curfew requirement via electronic monitoring

Having made these findings, the Committee determined that Mr Morris’ conduct at paragraphs 4 and 5 above was dishonest and demonstrated a lack of integrity.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mr Morris from the Register of Education Practitioners in the category of further education learning support worker and work based learning practitioner.

It also decided Mr Morris may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of 2 years has elapsed. Should Mr Morris not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 19 December 2026, he will remain prohibited indefinitely.

Mr Morris has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.