Latest news with #ScottishSocialServicesCouncil
Daily Record
08-08-2025
- 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."
Scotsman
04-08-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Insurer urges care providers to toughen up risk management
A specialist insurer for the care sector is calling on Edinburgh providers to take proactive steps to safeguard their services against key risks that threaten their operations. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The local care industry is facing increasing challenges, with rising demand and evolving risks putting pressure on providers. According to the latest data from the Population Health Directorate, around 4,430 adults in Edinburgh were receiving free personal and nursing care during the last week of 2023/2024 – an increase of around 11 per cent in the past five years. At the same time, care providers are dealing with staff shortages. Data from the Scottish Social Services Council's latest staff vacancies in care services report (released March 2025) reveals 48% of registered care services across the country reported having staff vacancies . These challenges are expected to intensify with changes to immigration rules, which will further restrict the recruitment of overseas care workers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad David Eccles, head of distribution at specialist insurer Ansvar Insurance, said: "The care sector is facing both operational and financial challenges. While the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill will likely have a positive impact, Edinburgh care providers will not benefit immediately. It's therefore crucial that they are aware of the growing risks and take proactive steps to mitigate them.' Edinburgh care providers are being urged to strengthen risk management amid mounting pressures Alongside rising demand and workforce shortages, care providers across the UK are facing growing financial risks from cyber incidents. In England, the average cost per incident was reported to be £9,528 over a three-year period, highlighting the potential burden on providers, including those in Scotland. At the same time, there is the pressure to uphold health and safety standards, reduce the risk of personal accidents, manage public liability exposure and remain fully compliant with a complex regulatory landscape. David added: 'There's no doubt that care providers across the city deliver outstanding support to those who need it most. With the right strategies in place, they are well-positioned to navigate today's challenges and continue making a vital difference in their communities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'By regularly reviewing risk management practices, investing in staff development, strengthening cybersecurity and ensuring their insurance is tailored to the unique needs of the sector, care providers can move forward with confidence and resilience.'
STV News
25-07-2025
- STV News
Elderly man found dead in care home car park after staff lied about hourly checks
An elderly resident was found dead in a care home car park after he was able to escape through a fire door. Hugh Kearins, 77, absconded from Chester Park care home in Glasgow's Kinning Park in the early hours of Boxing Day 2022. His body was discovered six hours later, despite staff members' falsified claims that they had checked on him through the night. Oakminister Healthcare Limited – who own the home – pleaded guilty to a breach of health and safety guidelines. Glasgow Sheriff Court was told that due to the nature of the plea of guilty, the company did not cause Mr Kearins' death. Their guilt is in relation to failing to ensure a system of work was in place to make sure the internal fire alarm door was active. The court heard that Mr Kearins suffered from dementia and was at risk of 'absconding or wandering.' A care plan was in place for Mr Kearins to be monitored every hour by members of staff. Prosecutor Blair Speed said: 'At 1am, he made his way into the corridor, opened a stair gate and walked downstairs from the first floor. 'There was an additional gate at the bottom of the stairs, which he descended and was able to get through that gate as well. 'He then walked along the corridor where the internal fire door is located before he exited down another flight of stairs through the external fire door, which brought him out on Lambhill Street.' Mr Kearin's body was recovered by police around 7am next to a van with the care home logo on it. The top half of his body was on a grass area next to a tree while the other half was on a kerb and tarmac area. Mr Speed said: 'A senior care assistant and a care assistant who had responsibility for his care falsified care records. 'They falsely stated that they performed tasks involving Mr Kearins at the time when he was no longer in the care home. 'A close observation chart completed by the senior care assistant stated he had checked on Mr Kearins every hour between 2am and 8am. 'Both carers were unaware that he was not in his room until news of his death became known in the home following the discovery of his body in the car park.' The carers were subsequently dismissed from their employment and are currently under investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council. It is not known who the staff member was who last had access to the internal fire door. Since the incident, the company have implemented a new system where every point of exit and entry is checked at the end of each shift to make sure the alarms are active. An alarm has also been installed at the top of the stairs outside of Mr Kearins' old room, which will alert staff of someone in the area. Mark Moir KC, defending, told the court that the company offers its condolences to Mr Kearins' family. The advocate said: 'He was a much loved resident for many years. 'The company accepts its failings. The reason the door was left unalarmed was because of maintenance work which was being carried out. 'An agency nurse was given a key, and it was not re-activated, and this was why the door was not activated. 'I do not blame the builders in any way – there is a need to ensure the safety of the residents, but this was a background to the matter.' It was revealed that the company's turnover in 2024 was £11,865,534. Sheriff Joan Kerr fined the company £53,750 which will be paid over the course of the next six months. She said: 'I wish to make it clear that the court recognises that the fine cannot compensate and no fine can be adequate 'The court sends its sincere condolences for his loss.' 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
Glasgow Times
25-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
OAP was found dead in Glasgow care home car park after escaping
Hugh Kearins, 77, absconded from Chester Park care home in Glasgow's Kinning Park in the early hours of Boxing Day 2022. His body was discovered six hours later despite staff members falsified claims that they had checked on him through the night. READ NEXT: Coke and cannabis found in black bags during 7.30am raid on Glasgow home READ NEXT: Thug with 36 previous convictions almost killed man with '4 to 5 inches' knife Oakminister Healthcare Limited - who own the home - pleaded guilty today to a breach of health and safety guidelines. Glasgow Sheriff Court was told that due to the nature of the plea of guilty, the company did not cause Mr Kearin's death. Their guilt is in relation to failing to ensure a system of work was in place to make sure the internal fire alarm door was active. The court heard that Mr Kearins suffered from dementia and was at risk of "absconding or wandering." A care plan was in place for Mr Kearins to be monitored every hour by members of staff. Prosecutor Blair Speed said: "At 1am, he made his way into the corridor, opened a stair gate and walked downstairs from the first floor. "There was an additional gate at the bottom of the stairs which he descended and was able to get through that gate as well. "He then walked along the corridor where the internal fire door is located before he exited down another flight of stairs through the external fire door which brought him out on Lambhill Street." (Image: Chester Park Care Home) Mr Kearin's body was recovered by police around 7am next to a van with the care home logo on it. The top half of his body was on a grass area next to a tree while the other half was on a kerb and tarmac area. Mr Speed said: "A senior care assistant and a care assistant who had responsibility for his care falsified care records. "They falsely stated that they performed tasks involving Mr Kearins at the time when he was no longer in the care home. "A close observation chart completed by the senior care assistant stated he had checked on Mr Kearins every hour between 2am and 8am. "Both carers were unaware that he was not in his room until news of his death became known in the home following the discovery of his body in the car park." The carers were subsequently dismissed from their employment and are currently under investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council. It is not known who the staff member was who last had access to the internal fire door. Since the incident, the company have implemented a new system where every point of exit and entry is checked at the end of each shift to make sure the alarms are active. An alarm has also been installed at the top of the stairs outside of Mr Kearins' old room which will alert staff of someone in the area. Mark Moir KC, defending, told the court that the company offers its condolences to Mr Kearins' family. The advocate said: "He was a much loved resident for many years. "The company accepts its failings. The reason the door was left unalarmed was because of maintenance work which was being carried out. "An agency nurse was given a key and it was not re-activated and this was why the door was not activated. "I do not blame the builders in any way - there is a need to ensure the safety of the residents but this was a background to the matter." It was revealed that the company's turnover in 2024 was £11,865,534. Sheriff Joan Kerr fined the company £53,750 which will be paid over the course of the next six months. She said: "I wish to make it clear that the court recognises that the fine cannot compensate and no fine can be adequate "The court sends its sincere condolences for his loss."
Daily Record
24-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Ansvar Insurance urging care providers to safeguard services against key risks
The local care industry is facing increasing challenges, with rising demand and evolving risks putting pressure on providers. Ansvar Insurance, a leading specialist insurer for the care sector, is urging Lanarkshire providers to take proactive steps to safeguard their services against key risks that threaten their operations. The local care industry is facing increasing challenges, with rising demand and evolving risks putting pressure on providers. According to the latest data from the Population Health Directorate, approximately 2390 adults in Lanarkshire were receiving free personal and nursing care during the last week of 2023/2024 - an increase of around six per cent in the past five years. At the same time, care providers are dealing with staff shortages. Data from the Scottish Social Services Council's latest staff vacancies in care services report (released in March) reveals 48 per cent of registered care services across the country reported having staff vacancies. These challenges are expected to intensify with changes to immigration rules, which will further restrict the recruitment of overseas care workers. David Eccles, head of distribution at Ansvar, said: "The care sector is facing both operational and financial challenges. "While the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill will likely have a positive impact, Lanarkshire care providers will not benefit immediately. "It's therefore crucial that they are aware of the growing risks and take proactive steps to mitigate them." Alongside rising demand and workforce shortages, care providers across the UK are facing growing financial risks from cyber incidents. At the same time, there is the pressure to uphold health and safety standards, reduce the risk of personal accidents, manage public liability exposure and remain fully compliant with a complex regulatory landscape. David added: "There's no doubt that care providers across the county deliver outstanding support to those who need it most. "With the right strategies in place, they are well-positioned to navigate today's challenges and continue making a vital difference in their communities. "By regularly reviewing risk management practices, investing in staff development, strengthening cybersecurity and ensuring their insurance is tailored to the unique needs of the sector, care providers can move forward with confidence and resilience."
