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Daily Record
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Brazen Ayrshire carer withdraws more than £6000 from supported person's account
Caroline Nimmo took around £6,680 from the supported person's account while employed as a personal carer by East Ayrshire Council in Kilmarnock. A personal carer has been struck off by the industry watchdog for using a supported person's bank card and making withdrawals of more than £6,600. Caroline Nimmo took around £6,680 from the supported person's account while employed as a personal carer by East Ayrshire Council in Kilmarnock. And on a date, or dates, between July 2019 and around March 2022, Nimmo took the same supported person shopping with her friend out with working hours. The supported person is only known as 'AA' to protect their identity. Nimmo, it was said, also collected shopping for the same supported person and another individual, known only as 'BB'. Industry regulator, the Scottish Social Services Council, (SSSC) said Nimmo's fitness to practise was 'impaired' due to misconduct and struck her name from the register. In their notice of decision the SSSC said to Nimmo: 'Social service workers must not abuse the trust of people who use services or carers, or the access they have to personal information about them or their property, home or workplace. 'You (Nimmo) were in a trusted position as a carer to 'AA.' You have used 'AA's bank card to withdraw a significant amount of money from her account. 'There is no information to suggest that 'AA' did not have the capacity to deal with her own finances, but your behaviour placed 'AA' at risk of financial harm and is an abuse of the trust placed in you as a social service worker.' The SSSC continued: 'Social service workers must not form inappropriate relationships with people who use services or carers. You (Nimmo) have attended the home of 'AA' outwith your working hours and took her shopping with your friend. You have also gone shopping for 'AA' and 'BB.' This behaviour amounts to a failure to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with 'AA' and 'BB.'' In their factors of concern the SSSC said Nimmo had shown 'no insight' into her behaviour, that there was a risk that the behaviour could be 'repeated' and Nimmo's actions showed a 'high degree of disregard' for the Codes of Practice which indicated 'serious underlying attitudinal concerns.' The SSSC continued: 'You (Nimmo) were employed in a position of trust as a carer and you have breached the trust placed in you as a social service worker. You have demonstrated a pattern of unacceptable behaviour over a period of over one year. Your behaviour is directly linked to your employment in social services and gave rise to an increased risk of harm to 'AA.'' The SSSC said in conclusion: '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.' They said in a statement: "We do not comment on individual cases to protect a person's right to privacy. We are aware of this historic incident and work closely with SSSC as a regulatory body in sharing information in line with regulatory transparency and public protection."
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
East Lothian children's worker mocked child and said another 'reeks of cat pee'
An East Lothian children's practitioner mocked a child and told a colleague another youngster 'smelt like cat pee'. Avril Davidson was given a 12-month warning on her registration last week following a hearing with the Scottish Social Services Council in which several comments she about children in her care were referenced. While working as a practitioner in Musselburgh, Davidson said to a colleague: "look he's going to cry," referring to a child. Several months later, in February 2024, she refused to let a colleague help paint the kitchen, claiming she was a "liability." READ MORE: Edinburgh couple victorious in years-long battle with neighbours over hedge READ MORE: Edinburgh couple say 'this isn't the end' after decision in hedge dispute Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. The comment reportedly made the member of staff feel upset. On or around February 22, Davidson stated to a colleague that a child "reeks of cat p**h and has all week" in the presence of other children. The regulator noted how the comments made regarding the first child took place at an after-school club and all three incidents placed colleagues and children at risk of emotional harm. The council also told how Davidson has not cooperated with their investigation or shown any remorse or apologised for the pattern of behaviour. They wrote: "While in the after-school club you said to your colleague ZZ about child AA 'look he's going to cry', or words to that effect to mock AA. You later spoke to your colleague YY stating that she could not help paint the kitchen as she was a 'liability' or words to that effect, causing her to feel upset. "At a later date you said to your colleague XX that child BB 'reeks of cats p**h' or words to that effect which was said in the presence of other children. The misconduct placed both the children and your colleague at the risk of emotional harm. "Although it is not at the most serious end of the scale, we have concluded there is a risk of repetition as you have not engaged with the SSSC or shown any remorse or insight. You have not given us any reassurances that you have reflected and learned from the misconduct and that it is unlikely to happen again."
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- Daily Record
Scots childcare worker who shouted and swore at teenager with learning difficulties struck off
A panel also found that Steven Fraser had restrained the youngster in an 'inappropriate' way. A childcare worker who shouted and swore at a teenager with learning difficulties has been struck off. Steven Fraser was also found to have restrained the youngster in an 'inappropriate' way. Fraser, who had been working for Applied Care and Development Ltd in Castle Douglas when the incidents happened, had denied all of the allegations made against him. However, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) found evidence from two colleagues to be reliable and said Fraser's 'fitness to practise was impaired', ordering he be removed from their register. The incidents happened over two days in May last year when Fraser was working as a residential childcare worker. They involved a youth who had ADHD, autism and learning difficulties who was playing with a remote control. It was proven that Fraser removed the batteries and when the child said they were going to break the remote, Fraser swore at them. He then physically restrained the child on a number of occasions, all of this causing the youngster distress. It was also proven Fraser shouted and swore at the child and restrained them again the following day. Fraser denied all of the allegations and the SSC panel noted there were no police charges. However, they added criminal proceedings require a higher standard of proof, with the SSSC basing their decisions on 'balance of probabilities'. Two witnesses provided evidence, which the panel found no reason to doubt. Fraser had undergone crisis aggression limitation management (CALM) training, and in light of this the panel described his way of restraining the child as 'inappropriate'. They pointed out that when the youngster 'displayed challenging behaviour, you had been trained in how to respond appropriately to this' They described Fraser's conduct as 'serious and constituted misconduct'. They added: 'You acted in an aggressive and abusive manner toward a vulnerable young person in your care. 'You restrained them in an inappropriate and potentially unsafe manner. 'You shouted and intimidated them. 'You did this contrary to your recent CALM training and on a number of occasions during your shift. 'You failed to record these restraints, as required by your CALM training'. The SSSC panel felt Fraser had breached several parts of the Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers and it was not an isolated incident, with Fraser showing 'a very similar type of aggressive behaviour on at least three occasions throughout the course of a 24-hour period' – behaviour which 'caused emotional harm to an already vulnerable child'. The panel felt an order to remove Fraser from the SSC register was the only option to 'protect the public from the risk of repetition'. Fraser had denied all the allegations and has until July 18 to launch an appeal. His temporary suspension order has been extended until then.
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Daily Record
Cumnock care worker sanctioned for sexually inappropriate messages to junior colleagues
In a Tiktok video, sent to an ex-employee, James Arnold said: 'Sometimes I drift off thinking about you,' followed by 'Sometimes I w*** off thinking about you.' A children and young person's worker has been sanctioned by the industry regulator for sending sexually inappropriate messages to junior colleagues and former colleagues. In a Tiktok video, sent to an ex-employee, James Arnold said: 'Sometimes I drift off thinking about you,' followed by 'Sometimes I w*** off thinking about you.' Arnold, whose town of employment was listed as Cumnock, faced a series of allegations based upon his time as a Service Manager by Aberlour Child Care Trust, in Auchterhouse. The charges date as far back as April 2021. Arnold also faced charges over his behaviour while employed as an Area Manager by Greenleaf House Co Ltd, in Cumnock, dating back to June 2024. The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) said Arnold's fitness to practise was impaired due to misconduct and placed a warning on his registration for a period of two years. According to the SSSC, they said Arnold sent a junior colleague a message on Snapchat saying 'looking good', or words to that effect. He was also adjudged to have sent the colleague a message asking when she was going to the toilet to 'take naked pictures,' or words to that effect. In another message, when a junior colleague replied to a message from Arnold about her break-up, he messaged them saying: 'You're a fantastic girl and would turn a gay man straight, you will find the one for you', or words to that effect. Arnold was also claimed to have asked a colleague if she wanted to go upstairs and 'have sex,' or words to that effect. Another charge claimed that, on or around 10 June 2024, while employed as an Area Manager by Greenleaf House Co Ltd in Cumnock, Arnold sent a Tiktok video to an ex-employee which said 'Sometimes I drift off thinking about you', followed by 'Sometimes I w*** off thinking about you,' causing the person to 'feel uncomfortable.' In their notice of decision the SSSC told Arnold: 'Social service workers are expected to communicate in an appropriate, open, accurate and straightforward way. They are expected to work openly with and cooperate with colleagues and treat them with respect. 'While working as a Manager, you (Arnold) have engaged in inappropriate contact with four separate junior members of staff. This includes sending them inappropriate messages and making inappropriate comments to them, some of which are of a sexual nature.' The SSSC continued: 'You have also sent a sexually explicit TikTok video. This behaviour amounts to a failure to treat (them) with respect and a failure to communicate with them in a respectful way.' The SSSC also claimed Arnold 'abused his power' because he was employed in a 'senior role' when his behaviour unfolded. Arnold, it was said, accepted that he had behaved 'inappropriately' towards his junior colleagues and 'acknowledged' the impact this could have on them. He had also taken 'some steps' to prevent the behaviour occurring again by 'removing himself' from social media. And Arnold had not previously been found to have committed misconduct or had his fitness to practise impaired. In addition, positive references were provided relating to his practice and he 'fully co-operated' with the SSSC investigation. However, the SSSC added: 'We cannot be assured that this behaviour will not be repeated and a warning is required to mark the behaviour as unacceptable and that it should not happen again. It would negatively impact on the public confidence in the SSSC as a regulator, and the profession as a whole, if the SSSC did not take action to reaffirm the standards expected of registered workers.' Greenleaf House Co Ltd has been approached for a response.
STV News
03-07-2025
- STV News
Carer struck off after he was caught hitting disabled man on camera
A social care worker caught assaulting a disabled man on camera has been struck off the care register. Michael Gitongu hit the man multiple times in February 2023 while he was employed as a support worker by Clinical 24 Staffing Limited in Glasgow. The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) said Gitongu slapped the man's torso, forcefully hit him twice on the arm, hit him with a large exercise ball which he threw directly at him, repeatedly and forcefully hit the sofa he was sitting on, and made threatening gestures towards the man in an attempt to frighten him. Gitongu was convicted at Perth Sheriff Court in July 2024, for the same incident of assaulting a man by seizing him on the body, pushing him on the body, making threatening gestures, seizing him by the body, and pulling him. The court determined the assault was 'aggravated by prejudice relating to disability', according to the SSSC. Gitongu has been formally struck off the care register and banned from working in the industry again. The regulatory body for Scottish social work said the assault was caught on camera and verified by a witness who saw Gitongu hit or slap the other side of the sofa where the care user was sitting. 'The video evidence is clear and compelling,' the SSSC said. 'This observed behaviour by [Gitongu], a large man towards a [information redacted] on the face of it is abusive and bullying behaviour.' The report said Gitongu was 'not interacting with [the care user] in a positive manner' before the assault. 'You provoked [the man] by flicking the lights and raising your arms to scare and intimidate him. The assaults were clear in the footage,' the SSSC told Gitongu. The regulator said there is 'no explanation' as to why Gitongu's training, or lack of it, would justify this behaviour. 'The behaviour can only be described as being physically and emotionally abusive towards AA, with his rights and dignity being dismissed by you,' the report said. 'This behaviour occurred in AA's own home, a place where he should feel safe. You abused the trust placed in you to care for a highly vulnerable individual.' The SSSC concluded it had no choice but to strike Gitongu from the care register. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
