A DISGRACED social worker struck off for putting vulnerable children at “serious risk” has had her suspension extended after a fresh investigation.

Marie Esther Nolan was banned from the register after a series of incidents risking the safety of youngsters while she was working at Hampshire County Council.

Now her suspension has been extended after authorities ruled she needed more time to “develop insight”.

As previously reported, Ms Nolan was suspended from the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) for 12 months following a hearing in June last year.

Ms Nolan was responsible for child protection risk assessments in children aged up to 18.

The panel heard how she was placed under a performance assessment back in March 2010, following difficulties with her social work practice.

They also heard how further issues in Ms Nolan’s practice were identified two years later, including failure to complete statutory child protection visits and not adding notes to the electronic records system for 12 problem families.

They heard evidence how she did not refer concerns about a mother’s drug use to a drug agency, or follow up on an allegation of assault perpetrated by a child’s mother on another adult at a school.

Another case saw Ms Nolan not record visits to a family which was described as “completely unacceptable” between 2011 and August 2012 and it led to serious safeguarding concerns, as action was not taken on increased drug taking by a child’s mother, a change of accommodation and the mother receiving a prison sentence.

In mitigation the panel accepted that she was under “great personal strain” which had a significant effect on her ability to cope with the demands of her work, and that she had not been involved in other disciplinary issues.

Following an investigation Ms Nolan was dismissed.

Now at a review of the case Ms Nolan had began to learn, reflect and develop an insight into her failings.

But the panel ruled her fitness to practice remained “impaired”.

Panel chairwoman Manuela Grayson said: “In all the circumstances, a proportionate and sufficient order to make is that the existing suspension order shall be extended for a further period of 12 months.

“This will give Ms Nolan the required time to further develop her insight, take remedial action and evidence the same.”

The order will be reviewed again before its expiry on July, 9, 2017.