A WOMAN has been removed from the social work register for putting service users "at risk of harm" while she worked at a care home in Alloa.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) found that Kelly-Jane Carpenter was unfit to practise after they upheld numerous allegations against the woman.

The woman, who at the time was a support worker at Scottish Autism, failed to supervise a service user eating a yoghurt which contained his epilepsy medication in December 2015.

On several dates between September 2015 and May 2016, she signed the cleaning rota to say it had been completed when it had not.

Between those same dates, Carpenter claimed that she had ensured two service users had morning and evening showers and brushed their teeth, which again she had not done.

Then on May 17, 2016, the woman provided a patient with sensory stimulation in an “inappropriate manner” by sitting on their stomach and rolling herself back and forwards on top of the user while they lay in bed.

A final allegation states that she completed a user’s daily recording sheets before any treatment was actually carried out.

The SSSC judgement read: “You were responsible for looking after AA and BB. On a number of occasions, you did not do so, and put them at risk of harm through lack of hygiene and broken routine. AA was also placed at risk because you did not supervise him taking his medication.

“Your conduct constituted neglect. Removal was the only remaining option. Removal was appropriate where the conduct is fundamentally incompatible with being a social services worker. This is such a case.

“As set out above, there were serious and repeated departures from the standards set out in the Code. There was a pattern of unacceptable behaviour. It was over a period of months, from November until May.

“There was significant abuse of trust. You had put service users at risk. The service users relied on you for personal care.

"You were dishonest. You had tried to cover up your failures. There has been a significant lack of insight, demonstrated by failure to engage with SSSC.”

The judgement added that Carpenter, who had worked for Scottish Autism since 2011, had been considered an “exemplary care worker” according to her former line manager at the centre.

A spokesperson from Scottish Autism said: “Ensuring the health, welfare and safety of our supported individuals is of the utmost importance to us. We can confirm that a member of staff in our Central service was suspended subject to a robust HR procedure by way of an internal investigation and disciplinary process.

"The outcome of this matter was reported to the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). This person no longer works for Scottish Autism.”