Tearful Support Worker Defends Actions During College Fire Drill
In a heartfelt testimony, Cerys Warren, a former learning support worker, broke down while addressing allegations that led to losing her beloved job. During a fire drill at Coleg y Cymoedd in Rhondda, Warren denies claims she forcibly separated a student, known as Learner One, and colleague Marianne Barry, who were holding hands amid the evacuation chaos.
The incident, which occurred without prior warning to the staff, caused Warren to relive past trauma from a previous fire incident. Speaking to an Education Workforce Council panel, she insisted on having used a firm but not angry tone when instructing Barry to release Learner One’s hand, given the apparent emergency, and stressed her actions were misinterpreted in the heat of the moment.
Her manager, Kelly Morgan, expressed no issue with Barry’s comforting approach given her inexperience, though she hadn’t witnessed the alleged confrontation. Meanwhile, Warren challenges why Learner One’s parents weren’t informed if the situation was deemed serious.
This issue, along with accusations of inadvertently deleting essential documents due to a lack of IT training, has left Warren, a dedicated worker supporting her family and disabled son, without employment. Despite admitting to deleting documents, she insists it was accidental.
As the hearing continues, Warren’s counsel argues that the allegations are overstated and points to organisational failings and misinformation. Warren, who has passionately supported Learner One for years, denies any physical misconduct and asserts her actions were driven by concern during a confusing situation.
Stay tuned for updates as this emotional case unfolds.