An Ayrshire care worker, who stole a quantity of cash from a service user she was looking after, has been struck off by the industry regulator.
Lynsey Anderson was convicted of the offence at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court in August last year.
Now her career as a registered care worker has ended after the theft, which took place between May 30, 2023 and July 30, 2023, both dates inclusive.
The industry regulator, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), said Anderson’s actions represented an “abuse of the trust” and a ‘serious departure’ from the SSSC codes of practice.
In their decision notice the SSSC said to Anderson, whose town of employment was Irvine: “Social service workers must be truthful, open, honest and trustworthy. You (Anderson) have been convicted of stealing money from a service user. A conviction such as this, represents an abuse of the trust and confidence placed in you by your employer, individuals who use services, their families and the wider general public.
“Your actions were dishonest and should be considered as the most serious of departures from the codes of practice.”
Although the SSSC noted that there were “no prior concerns” raised with them over Anderson’s fitness to practise, her behaviour took place “inside of work” and she also “failed to co-operate” with the SSSC during their investigation.
The report goes on: “Vulnerable service users should be treated with dignity and respect and should not be exploited by those who are caring for them. Service users and their families should be able to place trust in social service workers to provide compassionate care and not behave in a way which will cause them harm.
“Your (Anderson’s) behaviour suggests significant values and attitudinal issues which cannot easily be remedied. There is no reassurance that the behaviour would not be repeated in future.”
As a result, the SSSC took the decision to strike Anderson’s name off the social care worker register.
The report continues: “A warning would not be appropriate as the behaviour is at the highest end of the scale of seriousness and a warning would not satisfy or address the public protection and public interest concerns.
“The SSSC considers a removal order is the most appropriate sanction as it is both necessary and justified in the public interest and to maintain the continuing trust and confidence in the social service profession and the SSSC as the regulator of the profession.”