A SUPPORT worker at a county care home has been struck off the register after a report found that she had attended her work while under the influence of alcohol.

A report from the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) found that Louise Skinner had attended work at Tranent Care Home “under the influence of alcohol and/or consumed alcohol during” her shift in September 2022.

A spokesperson for HC-One, owners of Tranent Care Home, said they felt "betrayed" by Ms Skinner's actions

The SSSC report also found that the carer did not engage with the investigation and that she presented an “ongoing public protection risk” and her behaviour had placed “residents and colleagues at risk of harm”.

The report said: “Social service workers must be trustworthy, reliable and dependable, and must keep to their employer’s health and safety policies, including those relating to substance misuse. You attended work under the influence of alcohol and/or consumed alcohol during your shift.

“You have carried out your duties whilst intoxicated and therefore your cognitive function has been impaired. This would have affected your capability and judgement, and therefore the level of care you were able to provide to residents.

“Although there is no indication that your actions caused harm, by providing care whilst your capabilities were impaired, you placed yourself, residents and colleagues at risk of harm.

“After referring to our decisions guidance, we decided to impose a removal order, removing your registration from the SSSC Register.”

'A betrayal of trust'

The report found the carer’s denial of the incident and failure to co-operate with the investigation as factors for concern.

It was also noted that the carer had a good previous record with the SSSC and that no previous findings of misconduct had been made against her.

The report concluded: “The SSSC considers a removal order is the most appropriate sanction as it is both necessary and justified in the public interest and to maintain the continuing trust and confidence in the social service profession and the SSSC as the regulator of the profession.”

A spokesperson for HC-One said: “The wellbeing of our residents is our top priority and we hold all those who work in our home to high standards of professionalism and respect.

"The actions of Ms Skinner went against everything we stand for and were a betrayal of the trust and duty of care placed in her by both our residents and us as an employer.

"Ms Skinner no longer works for HC-One and has not done so since the time of this incident in 2022.

"We are grateful to our colleagues for bringing this matter to our attention and following our stringent safeguarding procedures to bring this to light and allow us to act immediately to investigate, suspend Ms Skinner, and refer the matter to the SSSC ourselves.

"We fully support the decision of the SSSC and will always support action being taken to protect the dignity of older people in care.”