CHELSEA O'SHEA STRUCK OFF IN DUNDEE AFTER CHILD ASSAULT AND DISHONESTY

A care worker from Dundee City has been officially removed from the social services register following her conviction for assaulting a young child and her subsequent dishonesty in failing to disclose the charges to her employer.

Chelsea O’Shea, who was employed at the Ballumbie Court Care Home in Dundee, was found guilty of physically assaulting a 10-year-old child under her care during her employment. The incident occurred in September 2018, and her conviction was formally established at Dundee Sheriff Court in August 2019.

Following her conviction, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) took decisive action by issuing a removal order against her, effectively banning her from working within the social care sector. The care home, which specializes in providing support for individuals with dementia and learning difficulties, responded swiftly by suspending O’Shea immediately after learning of the incident. Subsequently, after conducting an internal investigation, the home dismissed her from her position.

The SSSC’s decision to remove O’Shea from the register was also influenced by her failure to inform her employer about the criminal charges. The regulatory body published a detailed report explaining that her conviction involved physical harm to a child, which they described as a very serious matter. The report emphasized that such behavior raises significant concerns about her core values and her suitability to work in a caring profession.

In their official statement, the SSSC highlighted that O’Shea’s dishonesty in withholding information about her legal issues undermined the trust placed in her by her employer. They pointed out that her failure to disclose the charges deprived her employer of critical information regarding her ongoing suitability to work within social services. The report also noted that O’Shea had not engaged with the SSSC’s investigation, providing no comments, apologies, or expressions of remorse, which prevented the regulator from gaining insight into her perspective or assurances of future conduct.

The SSSC concluded that without such engagement, there remains a risk of her repeating such behavior, which could potentially harm vulnerable individuals. They described her actions as both physically abusive and dishonest, fundamentally contradicting the standards expected of registered social service workers. The decision to remove her from the register was deemed necessary to uphold public trust and confidence in the social care profession.

In response, a spokesperson for Ballumbie Court Care Home stated that the organization takes its responsibility to provide high-quality, compassionate care very seriously. They clarified that the incident did not involve any residents or colleagues directly and that the home supports actions taken to protect vulnerable people. The spokesperson confirmed that upon learning of O’Shea’s actions, she was immediately removed from the premises and suspended from employment on the same day for failing to disclose her charges. Since then, she has not been employed by HC-One, the parent company of the care home.

The care home reiterated its commitment to maintaining high standards and taking swift action against any staff members who fall short of the values and standards expected, emphasizing that residents deserve nothing less than respectful and safe care.