GLENROTHES CARE WORKER STRUCK OFF FOR HITTING VULNERABLE MAN
A social care worker has been struck off the register after repeatedly hitting a vulnerable man in her care.Fiona Wallace was removed from the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) register on May 9, following a series of incidents involving a supported person known as AA.
The SSSC found that in January last year Ms Wallace hit AA on the arm, before going on to repeatedly slap his lower arm in February.
A third incident a few days later saw her touch his face to get his attention and point a finger in his face while telling him “we’re not hitting, it’s bad” or words to that effect.
In its decision, the SSSC said Ms Wallace’s actions were physically abusive, placed AA at risk of both physical and emotional harm and represented a serious loss of self‑control that fell far short of the standards expected of a registered social services worker.
The regulator noted she had been given advice by colleagues on how to manage AA’s behaviour and offered chances to step back when needed, but did not always accept or follow this guidance.
Ms Wallace, of Glenrothes, had worked in the sector for around two and a half years with no previous concerns, and the SSSC said her behaviour appeared to be spontaneous rather than planned.
However, she did not engage with the investigation, leaving the regulator without evidence of insight or remorse.
The SSSC said there were ongoing public protection concerns and that, if Ms Wallace continued in the profession, she would likely face similar challenges with supported individuals.
It concluded: “Removal was necessary and justified in the public interest, to maintain trust and confidence in the social service profession and in the SSSC as its regulator.”
