Edinburgh care worker caught drinking alcohol on shift as vulnerable person left soaked in urine
Fraser Calder was found to have attended work under the influence of alcohol on two separate occasions.
An Edinburgh social care worker has been found to have impaired fitness to practise after drinking alcohol while responsible for vulnerable service users on two separate occasions.
Fraser Calder, who was employed as a support worker by Thera in Edinburgh, has had conditions placed on his registration by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
The decision follows two incidents in which Calder attended work under the influence of alcohol, including one occasion when he drank during a shift while working alone.
The first incident took place on or around May 29, 2021, when Calder attended his shift and carried out his duties, having consumed alcohol.
He later admitted being under the influence at work and was reported to have shown observable signs of impairment. The incident resulted in a final written warning.
However, on December 22, 2025, Calder consumed alcohol once again while working, this time drinking rum during a shift while working alone and solely responsible for the care of a service user.
The SSSC decision notice stated that Calder was reported to have been unsteady on his feet, slurring his words and acting erratically.
The service user, referred to as AA in the report, was left without personal care and was found to be cold, hungry and soaked in urine.
The repeated incidents sparked significant concerns about Calder’s ability to provide safe and effective care to vulnerable people.
The report also highlighted the risk of the behaviour happening again, noting that the December 2025 incident occurred despite the previous warning and support Calder received.
It was then concluded that his fitness to practise was impaired and that his actions had breached several parts of its Code of Practice for Social Service Workers.
Therefore, Calder must now provide evidence that his employer is aware of the conditions placed on his registration and attend supervision meetings every four weeks for six months.
The SSSC noted he has cooperated with the investigation and shown insight, regret and remorse.
The conditions came into effect on November 10, 2026.