Staffordshire care boss ran dating service

COUNCIL bosses were left red-faced after a resident discovered a director at social care company had previously set up a firm offering coaching sessions in how to seduce women.

Staffordshire County Council said it has carried out a full investigation into Telecare Technology’s suitability for social care after a complaint from an elderly resident’s family.

The family, who have asked to remain anonymous, discovered links between Jamie Cole, a director at Telecare, and a firm running coaching service Get Me The Girl.

The county council has now issued an apology on Mr Cole’s behalf.

Telecare Technology provides automated reminder services to elderly and vulnerable residents.

But the county council discovered that Telecare director Mr Cole had founded a “pick up artist” service offering comprehensive courses costing up to £1,200 in how to “attract any woman at any time”.

Get Me The Girl’s website has also uploaded videos showing its “trainers” pursuing women in the street to demonstrate pick-up and seduction skills.

The council said the company running the website has now been dissolved, but Get Me The Girl is still active and its social media accounts have all been updated this week.

The Sentinel has been unable to establish if Mr Cole is still involved with the website as he did not respond to requests for comment.

The resident responsible for the original complaint said: “I was shocked and disgusted at what I found and felt the need to bring it to their attention.”

A spokesman for Staffordshire County Council said: “Jamie Cole says he regrets his involvement and he has apologised for any embarrassment it has caused.

“We take our responsibility to uphold the highest standards for social care and would not endorse or promote a product that will put people at risk.

“Following our investigations, and given the really good work undertaken with Telecare and also with their firm track record with other councils, we feel the benefits of the service to people and their carers still warrants the service’s use where applicable.

“We are grateful these concerns were raised and brought to our attention. We would also like to meet with the resident to update them on this.

“We’ve had lots of other positive comments from service users and their carers about the reliability of the service.”

Residents have expressed their concerns. Peter Cotton, pictured, aged 75, of Knutton, said: “”I think the Pensioners’ Convention should be informed about it because it is a concern.”