A Perth support worker who grabbed a service user by their neck and hair has been handed a three-year warning by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
James Alfred O’Reilly was employed by Advanced Specialist Care, part of Balhousie Care Group, when the incident happened on or around October 19 2020.
According to a report from the watchdog, O’Reilly swore at the service user – referred to as AA – saying: “no (AA) isn’t f*****g getting away with that” or words to that effect.
He then grabbed AA by their hair and the back of their neck before pushing them into their room.
Perth support worker ‘failed to display self-control’
The report says that AA was exhibiting “heightened behaviour” when the grappling took place; however, it adds that physical intervention should only have been used as a last resort.
The watchdog says O’Reilly “failed to display a level of self-control when placed in a
challenging situation”.
Its report reads: “In response to service user AA displaying heightened behaviour, you
swore towards them, grabbed them around the neck and by their hair and pushed them into their room.
“These actions were contrary to AA’s care plan which provides that physical intervention should be used as a last resort.
“Your actions had the potential to cause physical and emotional harm to AA.
“As a result of your actions, AA may feel unable to trust social service workers in the future, which would place them at further risk.”
Three-year warning given for hair grabbing
The support worker has now been handed a three-year warning, meaning any further issues could lead to suspension or removal from the SSSC register.
His employer says he has been moved to a different area of the business and given additional training.
Prior to the incident, O’Reilly had a clean record in the care industry.
The report says he has continued to work in the sector since, and has fully cooperated with the SSSC and his employer throughout the investigation.
O’Reilly also received positive references throughout the investigation, with one referee describing him as “confident, calm and reliable”.
Support worker given ‘rigorous additional training’
A spokesperson for ASC said: “We hold our staff to high standards and are committed to providing a safe, protective and trustworthy environment for our service users. We have zero tolerance for any behaviour which abuses that trust and protection.
“Management is satisfied that it acted quickly and appropriately to notify the appropriate regulators and deal with the incident in terms of disciplinary action and support.
“This included moving the employee to a different service unit, relieving him of certain responsibilities, and rigorous additional training.”
O’Reilly was also approached for comment.
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