Edinburgh carer struck off for giving cannabis to vulnerable service user

An Edinburgh carer has been struck off the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) register for giving cannabis to a vulnerable service user.

Janet Carrick, while employed as a support worker at an unnamed care service in the city, was found to have supplied the person, named only as AA, with the class B drug in March 2019 and also asked her colleague to give them the drug.

A SSSC decision notice published online said Ms Carrick’s behaviour in supplying service user AA with illegal drugs for consumption was “very serious.”

The report said: “Your behaviour shows a disregard for the law and a disregard for how the substance in question may have impacted on the service user’s health.

“Your actions violate a fundamental tenet of the profession in that you have failed to consider and protect the health and wellbeing of AA.

“It does not appear that you have considered the possible detrimental implications on AA’s health, particularly in relation to how the cannabis may have reacted with the medication prescribed to AA.

“You attempted to involve your colleague, ZZ, in the inappropriate behaviour. You placed ZZ at risk through encouraging her to be involved in your planned actions.”

The decision notice also said there is a risk that Ms Carrick may repeat the behaviour and that, while she appeared to have admitted her actions to the employer, she did not display any insight and have not cooperated with the SSSC investigation.

It said although the behaviour appeared to be isolated she did not show any understanding of why the behaviour was serious or could cause harm.

It added: “While you may have believed that you were acting in a way to assist AA, your behaviour goes beyond an error of judgment and calls into question your values and ability to make safe decisions.

“There is a risk of harm to service users if the behaviour is repeated. Service users, with different needs, vulnerabilities and medications, may experience a more harmful impact from this type of behaviour.

“A reasonable member of the public would be concerned about the behaviour displayed and the risk of repetition. A finding of impairment to your fitness to practise is required to maintain public confidence in the profession and promote high standards of conduct and behaviour.”

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