A social worker who was ‘brilliant’ with residents has escaped jail after admitting having sex with a boy in her care.

Claire McDonald, 42, who was employed at a Tameside council children’s home, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust. She was a linked social worker to the victim.

At Manchester Crown Court in Minshull Street, the experienced care worker was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years.

She was also made the subject of a two years supervision order, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

McDonald, from Hyde, was also made the subject of a residence requirement and given a Sexual Harm Prevention order until further notice. A charge of child abduction was allowed to lie on the file.

The carer worked with vulnerable children suffering from emotional and behavioural problems and had previously been praised by Ofsted.

But she was suspended after council bosses were tipped off by a whistleblower and police were later called in last year.

(Image: Sean Hansford)

In a statement Greater Manchester Police said: “In October 2014, Greater Manchester Police’s Public Protection Investigations Unit were made aware of concerns relating to a former member of staff at a children’s home in the Tameside area.

“As a result, an investigation was launched and in December 2014, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised three charges of abuse of position of trust, causing and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity against Claire McDonald.

“On May 29th 2015, she was given a 12 month sentence suspended for two years, ordered to undertake 150 hours unpaid work, given a supervision order, fined £100 costs, made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and ordered to sign the Sex Offender’s Register for 10 years.”

Commenting on the case, Tameside MP Andrew Gwynne said: “These are serious and sensitive matters. There is an obligation on the council, as the corporate parent, to safeguard children in their care. I’m informed that the authority acted swiftly once it was aware of the issue and a case has been brought through the criminal justice system”.

Tameside Council say they acted quickly to protect the young victim. But the council - and its executive director for children’s services, Stephanie Butterworth refused to say whether McDonald had been sacked or resigned from office.

A spokesman said: “Tameside Council fully supported Greater Manchester Police in investigating and securing the conviction of Claire McDonald a former employee of Tameside Council.

“The safeguarding of children is of paramount importance to Tameside Council and we continue to work with partners to ensure children are safe. Where criminal acts occur we will work with the police to bring perpetrators to justice.”

In 2012 Tameside’s services for children needing protection was graded only adequate by Ofsted.