Social Care Wales v Anthony Balogun

Facts

The respondent, Anthony Balogun, registered with Social Care Wales as an Adult Care Home Worker on 27 September 2023 and worked for HC One Limited as a Direct Care-Carer. On 29 December 2023 his employer suspended him after allegations that he had sexually harassed and sexually assaulted a female colleague at work. The matter was referred to Social Care Wales on 2 January 2024, and a fitness to practise case was opened. Dyfed Powys Police investigated. The respondent denied the allegations at a voluntary interview, and on 20 December 2024 the Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of sexual assault by touching. He pleaded not guilty. Carmarthenshire Council also ran safeguarding enquiries, and a professional strategy meeting unanimously substantiated the allegations. On 4 April 2025 a Social Care Wales Interim Orders Panel imposed an 18-month Interim Suspension Order, which was reviewed and continued on 3 October 2025 and 31 March 2026. A separate concern about a reference request connected with the respondent remained unresolved. The criminal trial was first listed for 20 October 2025 and then relisted to 29 June 2026. That listing was vacated for lack of court space, and the trial is now listed at Swansea Crown Court on 22 February 2027. With the order due to expire on 3 October 2026, Social Care Wales applied to the First-tier Tribunal under section 148 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 to extend it until 3 October 2027. The respondent did not attend the remote hearing.