A SCOTS addiction worker has been struck off after sending sexually motivated messages to a vulnerable recovering addict.
William Fitzsimmons from Glasgow was found to have taken advantage of his position and power by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) last week.
He was working as a recovery practitioner for the Mungo Foundation at South Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Hub in Gorbals when he sent the messages in November 2020.
The support worker made contact with a service user with the intention of forming a sexual relationship.
After accepting a referral for help, Fitzsimmons added the woman who was recovering from drug and alcohol addiction on Facebook.
He then began repeatedly sending her messages of an intimate nature.
After being confronted by a manager at the addiction centre Fitzsimmons denied that he knew the woman was a service user – despite him taking the referral himself.
The SSSC found that he had abused his position of trust and showed no remorse for his actions so issued him with a removal order on Saturday.
They found that Fitzsimmons’ actions caused emotional harm to the care user.
The SSSC said: “Your actions were dishonest and fall far below the standards expected of a social service worker and are fundamentally incompatible with professional registration.
“You significantly abused the trust of AA by seeking an improper sexual relationship with her.
“You took advantage of your position and power and used a referral you took to make contact with a vulnerable service user, demonstrating a clear breach of professional boundaries.
“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.”
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