Carer struck off for assault on ‘vulnerable’ 92-year-old

ADundee carer has been struck off after being convicted of assaulting an “extremely vulnerable” 92-year-old man.

James Campbell has been removed from the register of carers after he was convicted of assault at Dundee Sheriff Court.

Campbell, of Kingsway East, originally denied assaulting the elderly man, who the regulator said was “extremely vulnerable” and relied on staff to keep him safe.

Campbell, aged 63 at the time of the incident, is said to have “seized and pulled” the resident of Benvie Care Home on Benvie Road.

He originally denied the charge but later pleaded guilty to assault and was fined £470 in August last year.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) says Campbell has shown no insight or regret over his actions on June 30, a factor in the decision to strike him off.

A report issued by the regulator said: “Assaulting a resident by seizing him by the body and pulling him is an act of violent, aggressive and abusive behaviour towards an extremely vulnerable individual.

“The resident had the right to expect that you would keep him safe from any harm.

“Your behaviour risked serious physical, emotional and psychological harm to him and was a very serious abuse of your position of power and trust as a carer.”

The SSSC also says it has received “no reassurance” from the former carer that his behaviour will not be repeated in future, posing a potential risk to others who would be in his care.

“Your behaviour raises concerns about your ability to control your reactions and behaviour, as well as your attitude to vulnerability.

“You have shown no insight, regret or remorse about your behaviour.

“We therefore consider that there are serious public protection risks and public interest concerns that need to be addressed,” the report added.

Despite being employed in the same role for four years without concern and complying with the investigation, the regulator concluded Campbell’s behaviour was “fundamentally incompatible” with continuing registration and ruled out a less serious sanction such as a warning or a suspension.

The SSSC said: “A warning would not be appropriate as your behaviour is extremely serious. A warning would

give no protection to service users or the public. There is no evidence a period of suspension would allow you to remedy the cause of the impairment of your fitness to practise.

“There is little evidence you acknowledge your failings and that lack of insight suggests there is a risk of the behaviour being repeated.”

The SSSC’S decision

means Campbell will not be able to work as a carer at a registered care home in Scotland unless he reapplies to the regulator for registration.

James Campbell was employed as a carer at the Benvie Care Home on Benvie Road.