A SCOTS carer has been struck off following a string of offences including brandishing a cleaver at restaurant staff and drink-driving three times over the limit.
Peter Beard committed the offences between December 2017 and April 2022 while working as a rehabilitation support worker in Glasgow.
Beard was initially convicted at Airdrie Sheriff Court on 27 December 2017 of driving while under the influence of alcohol three times over the limit.
He was also found to have acted in an aggressive or abusive manner on 25 March 2019 whilst in the possession of a hammer and abusing his ex-partner.
On 13 August 2019, Beard brandished a knife and a meat cleaver whilst inside a fast-food restaurant and threatening members of staff.
Beard was additionally found to have concealed these convictions from care watchdog the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) in November 2021.
He was later found to have been abusive towards service users in his care while working as a care assistant at Springvale Care Home in Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire on 8 April 2022.
Brown was found to have shouted to service user AA: “Right AA, we are not doing this p**s tonight. That’s you, do not get up for the next two hours.”
The disgraced support worker was also found to have refused to give service user BB a cigarette and using incorrect moving and handling procedures with service user GG.
The SSSC panel agreed that Beard’s fitness to practice was impaired.
They wrote in their report: “You have been convicted of offences of acting in a threatening or abusive manner and of offences involving offensive weapons.
“These convictions indicate a loss of self-control and placed members of the public at considerable risk of harm.
“Your behaviour falls far short of the standards expected of a social services worker and calls into question your suitability to work in social services.
“Social service workers must not abuse or harm people who use services, and they must communicate in an appropriate and respectful manner.
“They must also respect the views and wishes of people who use services and recognise and use responsibly the power and authority they have when working with users of services.
“You have spoken to AA in an abusive manner and caused her to become upset as a result.
“You refused BB a cigarette and threatened to withhold them from her for the rest of your shift.
“Your actions fall far below the standards expected of you as a registered social services worker.
Social service workers must meet relevant standards of practice and must work in a lawful, safe and effective way.
“Social service workers must be truthful, open, honest and trustworthy. They must tell the SSSC about anything that may affect their fitness to practise.
“You failed to declare your convictions on your application to the SSSC for registration.
“Your actions were dishonest and prevented the SSSC from carrying out appropriate risk assessments.
“Without these risk assessments, users of services were placed at risk of harm.”
The panel added that Beard’s actions “amount to a threatening or abusive loss of self-control”.
They continued: “In addition, the dishonest nature of failing to disclose your convictions to the SSSC in your application for registration is also considered to be serious.”
Beard was found to have shown no remorse for his actions and the panel subsequently agreed that a removal was the best sanction.
They stated: “[…]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.”
“Mr Beard lied and concealed his convictions, and as soon as we were made aware of his behaviour, we immediately dismissed him and completed a referral to the Scottish Social Services Council.
“We will never fail to act to protect the health and safety of our residents and we welcome the decision by the Scottish Social Services Council.”
The notice came into effect yesterday.
