A Dundee carer has been struck off the care register after assaulting a 10-year-old and repeatedly slapping them on the head.
Care worker Chelsea O’Shea was charged with assaulting the child while employed at Ballumbie Court Care Home in Dundee, in September of 2018.
She was convicted with the offence at Dundee Sheriff Court in August 2019.
O’Shea has now been struck off the register by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
Ballumbie Court Care Home, a care facility for those with dementia and learning difficulties, suspended O’Shea immediately after learning of the incident.
The home later dismissed O’Shea after an internal investigation.
The behaviour involved physical harm to a child and is very serious.”
The SSSC published a removal order for the former carer, having found her guilty of failing to inform her employer about the charge.
In its decision report, the council said: “The behaviour involved physical harm to a child and is very serious.
“A conviction of this nature raises concerns about your underlying values and your suitability to work within a caring workforce.
‘No apology or regret’
“You have not engaged with the SSSC’s investigation, so the SSSC have not received any insight, apology, or regret in relation to your behaviour.
“Without your comments on the behaviour, the SSSC is unable to take any assurances about how you may approach matters differently in future.
“Without these assurances, the SSSC considers there is a risk your behaviour would be repeated, which would place further vulnerable people at risk of harm.”
A Ballumbie Court Care Home spokesperson: “We take our responsibility to provide high-quality, kind care to all our residents very seriously.
“So we always support taking action to protect older people in care.
“While this situation did not occur in the home and does not involve any residents or colleagues, we welcome the Scottish Social Services Council decision.
“When first informed of their actions, we immediately removed them from the home.
“They have not been employed by HC-One since.
“We will always take action against any colleague that falls short of the values and standards we expect, and residents rightfully deserve.”