Care worker struck off over attack on resident

AFife care worker has been banned from working in the sector after attacking a resident. Norma Evenden was working at an unnamed home in Dunfermline when the incident took place on December 6 2019.

She assaulted the service user by slapping her in the face, striking her left cheek.

Evenden, who was convicted of the crime, is said to have “violated fundamental values of the caring profession”, according to a watchdog.

In a ruling, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) said the attack means Evenden is not of the right character to care for others professionally. Addressing Evenden, the report said: “Social service workers should not harm people who use services and should not place other people at unnecessary risk of harm.

“The public has the right to expect that social care workers will not engage in behaviour that would call into question their suitability to work in social care.

“You physically assaulted a service user by striking her on her left cheek.

“Your behaviour placed a vulnerable service user at risk of emotional and physical harm. Your physical violence calls into question your values and raises significant concerns about your suitability to work in the social services sector.”

The ruling went on to state that her actions were likely to damage public trust and confidence in the profession.

It said her actions were “fundamentally incompatible” with the conduct expected of a social care worker.

The ruling continued: “A social care worker being convicted of such a serious offence raises significant value and character concerns that would be unlikely to be easily remediable.

“Your behaviour is attitudinal in nature.

“You have shown a disregard for the law and for a vulnerable person who you were trusted to care for and support.”

The watchdog considered applying a suspension in the case but decided the public would not be “sufficiently protected” by such a measure because the assault was “deliberate and violent”.

It did note, however, that there have been no prior SSSC rulings against her and that she has shown “insight” and reflected on her behaviour.

Evenden was found guilty on January 11 this year at Dunfermline Sheriff Court and was fined £400 plus a victim surcharge of £20.

“Your physical violence calls into question your values