A CARE worker who struck a person he was looking after has been disciplined by the Scottish Social Services Council.

James Goodwin was employed by Ranstad Public Services as a care assistant in Dunfermline on January 3 last year when it was found he struck a service user, known only as AA, on the arm.

He also failed to withdraw from AA’s property as their Support Plan when the person was displaying challenging and violent behaviour.

As a result, the SSSC deemed that Goodwin's fitness to practice was impaired however he was not stopped from working in the sector but did have a condition placed on his registration.

The SSSC hearing acknowledged the strike was in self defence but ruled that Goodwin's actions were not in line with what is expected of a care worker.

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The report stated: "Social service workers must not abuse, neglect or harm people who use services. They are also expected to not place themselves or other people, including service users at risk of unnecessary harm.

"By striking a service user, even in self-defence, which undoubtedly was the case, this demonstrated a loss of self-control and placed the service user at risk of physical as well as emotional and/or psychological harm.

"You failed to follow the service user’s care plan that clearly states social service workers are to withdraw from the property when the service user is demonstrating violent behaviours.

"Your actions contributed to yourself and the service user suffering physical injuries."

The hearing report said that while Goodwin had been open and honest about striking the service user, he had failed to demonstrate any meaningful reflection or insight into his behaviour, or even accept that his course of action was unacceptable as a social service worker.

"A member of the public in possession of all the facts of the case would recognise that you have shown regret for striking the service user," it added.

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"However, they would remain concerned at your lack of insight and reflection. They would be sympathetic to the situation you were faced with and the fact you were being attacked by the service user but would remain concerned by your comments that appear to indicate that you struck the service user to teach the service user a lesson.

"This behaviour is not within the care workers remit and as per the service user’s care plan, you should have withdrawn from the situation and contacted your employer with your concerns."

Goodwin was told that he now requires, within seven days of the conditions starting or starting a job which needs SSSC registration, to provide a letter from his employer confirming they are aware of the conditions on his registration and confirming they were aware of why the conditions was applied.

Within a month of this taking place, he must also provide a reflective account to the SSSC discussing factors including how his behaviour impacted or could have impacted on the service user.

A spokesperson for Ranstad said they recruit temporary workers to provide services for clients.

"We take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously," they said. "In line with our robust safeguarding policies, as soon as we were made aware of the allegation relating to this individual worker we reported it to the Scottish Social Services Council and removed him from his assignment immediately.

"We no longer represent this individual."