String of incidents lead to six-month warning for care home worker

ARBROATH: Woman who acted aggressively towards colleague used foul language as well as physical contact

A member of staff at Seaton Grove care home in Arbroath has had a warning placed on her registration after a string of incidents toward a colleague which involved swearing and physical contact.

Rosalind Leiper was employed at the Angus Council-owned facility in April last year when the incidents took place.

A ruling by the Scottish Social Service Council (SSSC) found Leiper had acted aggressively towards her colleague, referred to only as ZZ, and her fitness to practise was impaired as a result.

The panel also found that she on more than one occasion, using a number of expletives, forcefully pushed ZZ using two hands and prevented ZZ leaving by placing a hand on a bathroom door.

The SSSC found that Leiper’s fitness to practise is impaired due to the risk of emotional harm to ZZ as a result of her physically aggressive and abusive behaviour, and that residents at the facility are entitled to feel safe and protected within their home, and relied on social workers to ensure their safety.

The report highlighted the fact that residents overheard the incidents, and that ZZ had “felt threatened and frightened” by Leiper’s behaviour.

However, in coming to their decision to impose a sanction, the panel took into account Leiper had no previous history with the SSSC, had cooperated with the investigation and that it was “an isolated incident”.

Arbroath East and Lunan independent councillor Lois Speed said: “I welcome the fact that this case has been dealt with appropriately by the authorities.

“This kind of behaviour is unacceptable at the best of times, whether it is in the workplace or not, but it is made worse by the fact that it was witnessed by elderly and vulnerable people.

“I hope this outcome draws a line under the situation but I will be speaking to senior council staff in order to find out more about these incidents and highlight my concerns.”

A spokesperson for Angus Council said: “Angus Council is aware of this case and took appropriate action prior to the matter being reported to the SSSC.

“We cannot comment further on an individual staffing matter.”

The warning will remain on Leiper’s registration on the Practitioners in a Care Home Service for Adults register for a period of six months.

I hope this outcome draws a line under the situation but I will be speaking to senior council staff in order to find out more about these incidents and highlight my concerns. COUNCILLOR LOIS SPEED