16-05-2025
Clydebank social care worker struck off after stealing £5k from client
Margaret Dass has been removed from the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) on May 15 after being convicted of a series of offences over a five-month period.
Between January 7 and May 27, 2021, Dass stole a bank card belonging to a service user and took it to the ATM at the Usave Store, Dumbarton and the ATM at Royal Bank of Scotland, Dumbarton and other locations.
There she used a PIN on the cash machines and stole around £5,470.
On May 18 2021, Dass visited the Royal Bank of Scotland on Sylvania Way with the debit card from the service user and "induced" the banking employee into accepting the use of the card and obtaining £1,000 from it.
She was convicted of the crimes in Dumbarton Sheriff Court on August 20, 2024.
In a report from the Ms Dass hearing, the SSSC reviewed her fitness to work following the conviction.
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The SSSC said social service workers are people who are "trusted" and expected to act with "honesty and integrity".
It goes on to say that carrying out her actions "abused the trust and confidence" placed in her as a worker and that she "took advantage" of access to a vulnerable service user's belongings, which caused harm to them.
SSSC members say the risk of repetition of this incident was high, and there was a need to protect users from the behaviour Ms Dass showed.
The report finished with: "Your conduct also gives rise to concerns about your personal and professional values and therefore is more difficult to remediate.
"Your conduct has a significant impact on the public interest, as the reputation of the profession could be damaged by your actions."
Ms Dass has failed to show regret or insight into her behaviour, according to the SSC, and her actions were premeditated and intentional.
Ms Dass has been removed from the SSSC Fitness to Practice, from May 15, 2025.
