A support worker has been struck off the professional care register after being convicted of a “sexualised kiss” with a vulnerable 15-year-old boy she was meant to protect.
Chloe Short’s Shocking Abuse of Trust
Chloe Short, 28 at the time of her conviction, was found guilty at Swansea Crown Court in December 2025 of sexually touching the teenager. She also exchanged explicit texts with the boy, in which they professed love for each other. The case only came to light when Short’s girlfriend discovered incriminating messages on her phone, alerting Short’s employer, who promptly contacted the police. A video showing the pair kissing was recovered during the investigation.
Serious Sanctions as Panel Hits Out
Social Care Wales (SCW) held a virtual hearing on April 8, where Short failed to attend or engage. The professional standards panel found all allegations proven and removed her from the register. Committee chair Steve Jones declared, “The offence is so serious there will always be the risk with Miss Short working with vulnerable people.” He added the case was “too serious to warrant any sanction other than striking off” and that her actions brought the entire profession into disrepute. Short may only apply to be re-registered after five years—and even then, approval is far from guaranteed.
Harsh Sentence and Long-Term Restrictions
Short received a 10-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, along with a rehabilitation course, mental health treatment, and 150 hours of unpaid community work. She will remain a registered sex offender for 10 years and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period. A judge condemned her behaviour as “very inappropriate” and a gross betrayal of trust. Prosecutor Ian Wright highlighted that Short was in a position of “considerable trust” working with vulnerable children and families.
“The offence is so serious there will always be the risk with Miss Short working with vulnerable people.” – Steve Jones, SCW Committee Chair
