A CARER withdrew more than £10,000 from a person she was looking after in Dunfermline.

Wendy Hume had shown a "significant degree of planning" and has now been struck off the register after a hearing.

She was employed as a support worker with Leonard Cheshire Disability when, between December 15, 2021 and October 5, 2022, she withdrew £10,150 from the bank account of a service user, described as AA.

Her name was removed from the care register after a hearing by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) found that she acted dishonestly as she did not have AA's consent to withdraw the money.

As a result, the SSSC deemed that her fitness to practise was impaired.

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The decision report stated: "Workers are expected to act with honesty and integrity at all times and not act in a way which would place service users at risk of unnecessary harm.

"Your actions in taking money from a service user was dishonest. As a result of this behaviour, you could have placed that service user at risk of harm by depriving her of funds.

"In addition to this, you have placed the reputation of the profession at risk of damage and undermined the public confidence in the profession."

The SSSC said that Hume had not shown "any insight or regret" over her actions and had not apologised.

"There appears to have been a significant degree of planning involved in your behaviour," added the Ombudsman.

"You took steps to remove the service user’s bank card from their home and use it when you knew the service user was not at home.

"Your behaviour took place on multiple occasions over a significant period of time. Your behaviour took place when you should have been working to support the service user."

The SSSC said the behaviour was a "serious abuse" of the trust placed in Hume and said removal from the register was required.

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They told her: "Your behaviour is fundamentally incompatible with continuing registration. There is no evidence that you acknowledge your failings and the pattern of behaviour and lack of insight suggest the behaviour is likely to be repeated.

"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.

"This is due to the seriousness of the behaviour involving an abuse of a position of trust and financial abuse.

"The behaviour highlights a significant issue with your values and calls into question your suitability to work with vulnerable service users."