Carer rapped for drinking on her shift

Warning from disciplinary panel

A carer has been rapped for boozing while looking after a vulnerable adult.

Isabel McFeeley was nabbed after having a drink on a shift with Quarriers.

She was also blasted for failing to follow proper health and safety procedures when moving the woman.

McFeeley escaped with a warning after she was hauled in front of a disciplinary panel by the care sector watchdog.

A hearing report stated: “The moving and handling failing is serious and shows a disregard for the processes in place designed to keep vulnerable users of services safe.

“The user of services was placed at repeated risk of harm each time you moved her over the course of the weekend.

“You also placed yourself and your colleague at risk of harm.”

Quarriers is based near Bridge of Weir and provides support to adults and children with disabilities.

McFeeley failed to tell bosses a hoist to help move the woman was missing during a caravan trip.

She used a sling to help get her up between July 14 and 16 last year.

The carer broke strict guidelines, despite having 17 years experience in the industry.

The Scottish Social Services Council placed a warning on her file for six months.

It warned she had not “engaged meaningfully” with the disciplinary probe.

McFeeley must also write a re f l e c t i v e report wi t h i n three months detailing her failings and what she would do differently.

She has been instructed to consider how the public might react to care workers drinking while supporting vulnerable people.

“These incidents happened around a year ago and are the most recent example of your practice in moving and handling vulnerable users of services.

“Although you admitted these failings to your employer, you have not shown any remorse or insight into those failings.

“There is some risk of the failings being repeated if you were to return to work in social services where moving and handling was part of your role.

“There is therefore a public protection concern.

“There is a public interest concern given your lack of appreciation and responsibility for your failings.”

The charity was founded with the opening of orphans homes at Quarriers Village in 1878.