**Married Youth Worker Accused of Inappropriate Conduct with Teenage Girl During Private Meetings**
A married youth worker employed by Neath Port Talbot Council is facing serious allegations of inappropriate and sexually motivated behaviour towards a child under his care, according to details heard by a professional standards committee. The man, Francois Hanson, allegedly made improper advances towards the girl, known only as Child A, while working as her council-assigned youth worker.
Evidence brought before an Education Workforce Council panel outlined a concerning relationship between Hanson and the teenager, who was under sixteen at the time. Hanson is said to have contacted her via Snapchat, sending messages that were overtly sexual in nature, some as late as 1am. In one message, he indicated he wanted “a friend with benefits” and attempted to reassure her that she should not worry about pregnancy with him, allegedly saying: “Well you wouldn’t have to worry about that [having children] with me because I’ve had the snip”.
During the hearing, the committee heard that Child A was experiencing significant difficulties at home and was in the midst of school exams. She initially viewed Hanson, whom she affectionately called “Frankie”, as a supportive figure in her life, but soon began to feel uneasy as his behaviour became increasingly inappropriate. He would refer to her by the nickname “chicken nugget” and began offering her lifts home in his van, parking at the top of her street and spending prolonged periods in conversation with her.
A pivotal incident occurred during one of these drives when Hanson allegedly placed his hand on the girl’s thigh, rubbing it whilst attempting to comfort her after she opened up about suicidal feelings. In her evidence, now as a young woman, Child A recounted feeling confused and uncomfortable by the gesture, which she now recognises as highly inappropriate for a professional tasked with her welfare.
The investigation also brought to light messages from Hanson suggesting they meet for drinks, with clear sexual overtones. On more than one occasion, he allegedly invited her to his house while his wife and children were absent, under the guise of a guitar lesson or simply to take advantage of a “free house”. It was only after confiding in a friend, referred to as Child B during the hearing, that Child A decided against attending. Her friend strongly advised her not to go and urged her to inform her parents.
The following day, Child A reported the messages and uncomfortable encounters to her school’s safeguarding officer, who promptly contacted the police. Officers attended the school and took a statement, also attempting to recover communications from the girl’s phone. However, due to the temporary nature of Snapchat messages, much of the evidence could not be retrieved and the police later dropped the case over insufficient evidence.
Despite the closure of the police inquiry, the Education Workforce Council continues to examine Hanson’s alleged misconduct. The allegations against him include sending inappropriate messages, making sexual comments, discussing his marital problems, and suggesting that Child A move in with him. The panel will consider whether each incident—examined separately or collectively—amounts to unacceptable professional conduct.
Notably, Hanson neither attended the hearing nor was he represented. The committee, chaired by Steve Powell, therefore proceeded with all allegations as denied. The panel’s determinations are likely to focus on the safeguarding responsibilities of those in positions of trust, and the inherent vulnerabilities of the young people they are meant to protect.
These revelations have raised concerns about the systems of oversight in youth services and the importance of maintaining professional boundaries in therapeutic or welfare settings. The outcome of the ongoing Education Workforce Council hearing could have significant implications for future safeguarding procedures within council-run youth programmes across Wales.
The hearing remains in session as the panel continues to deliberate the facts and testimonies. The case has also brought renewed calls for robust safeguarding training and protocols for all staff working with children and vulnerable individuals, to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.