Support worker, 28, is banned after sharing bed with teenage boy

by · Mail Online

A support worker has been banned from the profession for sharing a bed with a vulnerable teenage boy and sending him intimate photos.

Chloe Short, 28, recorded a 'sexual kiss' on camera with the 15-year-old boy while she was employed to help his family, a fitness to practice panel heard.

Short behaved in a 'wholly inappropriate manner' with the underage boy when she was paid to stay overnight at the family home in Carmarthenshire, Wales.

She was only discovered when her own girlfriend became suspicious of her behaviour and looked through her phone. 

Another photo show the boy was in bed with her with his top off. She then filmed 'a short sexualised kiss' with him.

Short also sent the boy a picture of herself in a towel after getting out of the shower, the Social Care Wales hearing was told.

She later messaged the boy: 'Thank you for the cuddles. Had a lush sleep with you.'

Chloe Short, 28, has been struck off from the professional care worker register after filming a 'sexualised kiss' with the 15-year-old boy she was charged to help
Chloe Short, 28, was convicted of sexual activity with a child and handed a ten-month suspended sentence last year. She had also sent the vulnerable boy photos of her in a towel just out of the shower

Short was employed by an organisation providing support for families and children in difficult circumstances. She was charged with supporting the vulnerable 15-year-old and visited his home several times.

A court heard she told the teen she 'missed him every second' and was 'obsessed with him'.

After Short's girlfriend raised the alarm following the discovery of the sexual footage with the boy, police charged her.

Short, of Bargoed, Caerphilly pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child and was handed a ten-month suspended sentence last year.

She was also ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years at Swansea Crown Court in December.

Now, Short has been struck off the professional care worker register at the virtual professional standards hearing.

Committee chair Steve Jones said the case was too serious to warrant any sanction other than striking off.

Short was only discovered when her own girlfriend became suspicious of her behaviour with the boy and went through her phone. She raised the alarm on the discovery of the photos, videos and messages

Short did not engage in the enquiry and had not expressed any insight, remorse or remedial work, the report told.

Mr Jones said: 'The offence is so serious there will always be the risk with Miss Short working with vulnerable people.'