A social care worker from Bathgate has been given a warning following a report on her conduct from a vulnerable service user.
Ayobami Hassan was told the warning would stay on her registration for 48 months following an investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
In one incident, in October 2023, the social care regulator found that Hassan had pulled covers off the service user, known as AA, before pulling her to the side of a bed by her legs, holding her by the legs and pulling her arms, pushing her to the bathroom and roughly removing clothing.
In the second incident, Hassan pulled AA by her legs and arms to a sitting position, pulled AA back to sitting by her arm after she lay down and pulled her to her feet by her arm and clothing.
The SSSC report states: Social care workers are expected to treat individuals who use services with dignity and respect. They should respect their rights and wishes to choose the care they receive.
“You (Hassan) physically moved AA by pulling her arms, legs and clothing against her wishes. You also physically moved AA to the bathroom and removed her clothing.
“Your actions placed AA at risk of physical injury as well as emotional and/or phycological harm.
“Social care workers are also expected to follow recognised policies and procedures to keep individuals who use services safe from harm.
“You had received the relevant training from your employer in relation to manual handling of residents and would have been aware of the correct procedures in relation to handling residents, which you chose to ignore.
“Your actions demonstrate an abuse of power against a vulnerable individual and did not meet the relevant standards of practice.”
The SSSC stated that the behaviour on both occasions occurred in the workplace and involved a very vulnerable, elderly individual.
The regulator added that the behaviour falls far short of standards and values expected of a caring professional.
The report concludes: “The behaviour is serious and demonstrates a concerning pattern of behaviour.
“You (Hassan) have not provided any assurance that you have learnt from your mistakes and if faced with a similar situation in the future, what course of action you would take.
“The behaviour displayed falls short of the professional standards expected of social service workers. There are ongoing public protection concerns, and the public interest is also engaged.
“The public would expect the SSSC to take action to reaffirm the relevant standards of practice and to uphold public confidence.”
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