A SCOTS carer has been struck off after £400 of a service user’s cash withdrawals went “unaccounted for”.
Annalise Thomson was found guilty of withdrawing sums of money from service user AA’s bank account and not signing in the full amount on nine separate occasions.
Thomson was employed as a team member at Cornerstone Community Care, Dumbartonshire when the string of incidents unfolded between February 2020 and March 2021.
The disgraced carer was also found to have made attempts to cover up her actions by falsifying records.
Thomson’s actions led to a hearing from care watchdog the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), who found the carer guilty and removed her from the register.
The SSSC’s report reads: “We decided there is evidence that while employed as a team member by Cornerstone Community Care, and during the course of that employment, you did:
“1. On or around 1 February 2020, withdraw £70 from service user AA’s bank account and then sign only £50 into AA’s petty cash tin, leaving £20 unaccounted for.
“2. On or around 11 February 2020, withdraw £150 from service user AA’s bank account and then sign only £100 into AA’s petty cash tin, leaving £50 unaccounted for.
“3. On or around 26 February 2020, withdraw £130 from service user AA’s bank account and then sign only £100 into AA’s petty cash tin, leaving £30 unaccounted for.
“4. On or around 5 April 2020, withdraw £150 from service user AA’s bank account and then sign only £100 into AA’s petty cash tin, leaving £50 unaccounted for.
“5. On or around 15 April 2020, withdraw £150 from service user AA’s bank account and then sign only £100 into AA’s petty cash tin, leaving £50 unaccounted for.
“6. On or around 24 July 2020, withdraw £150 from service user AA’s bank account and then sign only £100 into AA’s petty cash tin, leaving £50 unaccounted for.
“7. On or around 26 August 2020, withdraw £150 from service user AA’s bank account and then sign only £100 into AA’s petty cash tin, leaving £50 unaccounted for.
“On or around 16 November 2020, withdraw £150 from service user AA’s bank account and then sign only £100 into AA’s petty cash tin, leaving £50 unaccounted for.
“9. On or around 1 March 2021, withdraw £150 from service user AA’s bank account and then sign only £100 into AA’s petty cash tin, leaving £50 unaccounted for.
“10. By your actions at allegations 1 – 9 above, act dishonestly.”
The panel agreed that Thomson showed no remorse for her actions and was therefore deemed unfit to practice.
They stated: “You offered no insight, regret or apology. The victim was a person in your care, while you were carrying out your work role.
“Your engagement with the SSSC was limited. Your behaviour was repeated and over a prolonged period.
“The person you supported suffered financial loss due to your actions. This was an abuse of your position of trust. You falsified records to try to cover up your actions.”
The panel agreed that a removal was the most appropriate sanction.
They stated: “A warning would not be appropriate as it would not adequately address the impairment of your fitness to practice. The behaviour is serious.
“The interests of people who use services and the public would not be sufficiently protected by any period of suspension.
“There is little evidence you acknowledge your failings and the pattern of behaviour and lack of insight suggest the behaviour is likely to be repeated.”
They added: “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.”
