​Carer grabbed and swore at vulnerable man

A home carer for a charity has avoided being struck off after she “lost control” with a vulnerable ex-serviceman.

Jacqueline Graham grabbed the man’s face and pushed his head into a pillow while working for veterans charity Erskine.

But at a Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) disciplinary hearing she avoided being barred from the professional carers’ register.

Graham manhandled the victim and swore at him after he lashed out at her, the hearing was told.

A panel report stated: “People who use services have the right to expect that they will be treated with dignity and respect and protected from harm by workers in whom they and the public place their trust and confidence.

“Abusive behaviour is a breach of trust and confidence for social service users.

“It is a misuse of the power and position placed in social service workers, whilst also placing people who use services at risk of harm.

“Harm was caused to the resident, in the form of distress.”

The SSSC found her guilty of a “very serious” breach, but placed a warning on her file for just three years, allowing her to continue working in the sector.

Erskine said Graham failed to treat the veteran with “dignity and respect” and public confidence in social services would be “jeopardised” if she was not rapped. .

A spokesman said: “We reported Jacqueline Graham to the Scottish Social Services Council and received its recent notice of decision.

“She was previously employed at the Erskine Home as a care assistant when an allegation was made by another member of our care staff about her treatment of a resident.

“Graham was immediately suspended and, following a thorough investigation, was dismissed as an Erskine employee in June 2016.”