Worker at care home investigated by BBC struck off for threatening elderly man

Namatirai Chipere said her client was a victim of problems in the social care system herself.

However, hearing chairman Iain Burke said the incidents were a "significant abuse of trust and power" for which she had shown no insight or remorse.

He said her attitude and behaviour were "fundamentally incompatible" with registration as a social care worker.

In a statement, the home's owner - Morar Living - said it acted promptly when concerns were brought to its attention.

It said there was "no truth" in Sani's claim that she was not trained properly.

Castlehill, now renamed Morar Highland, was graded "good" in its most recent care inspection.

The panel was shown video footage covering a period of more than 20 minutes, in which Sani repeatedly tells the man that he was to be showered.

He can be heard screaming "no" and "leave me alone", before swearing at Sani and another carer.

The pair can be seen laughing during the encounter.

During evidence at the hearing, the man's daughter Su Christie, said her father, a former merchant navy crewman, had a lifelong fear of showers due to a childhood trauma.

Following the judgement, she said: "You could tell by the things he was doing, the things he was saying, that his distress was growing and growing throughout that interaction and there was no attempt to bring him down or de-escalate him whatsoever.

"He didn't know what was going on. He's a confused 81-year-old man living with dementia. He was frightened.

"It was devastating, utterly devastating. I was in shock because, although I knew there were issues, I didn't expect to see that. It was very distressing to watch."

The panel ruled Sani told Christie's father: "We will call the police and they will take you to court" and, referring to a male cleaner, "do you think that man is going to hit you?" or words to that effect.

She also pulled his duvet off without any warning, causing him to become distressed and agitated.

Delivering the panel's judgment, the chairman said: "We agree with your solicitor's submissions that you were let down by your employer, and there is little doubt that there was institutional failure.

"None of the failures you have highlighted absolve you from your personal responsibility as a registered social care worker.

"It is clear throughout the video clips that you did not show any kindness or compassion to the resident. At one point you and your colleague can be seen laughing in response to something the resident says or does.

"It does not appear to us to be laughing with the resident, but it appears more disrespectful in nature. We find that the resident suffered harm and you did not respect his dignity."

Burke added that the panel felt Sani's treatment of the man was "not something that could be remediated with training" as it reflected her attitude.

It also noted she failed to use any de-escalation techniques.

In closing submissions, Sani's legal representative said her client wished to apologise to the family.

Christie, who moved her father into a new home shortly after the incident, said: "I think it was the right decision.

"Whilst the panel did comment on institutional failures, this hearing is about her own personal accountability. And I think it sends the message that personal accountability matters.

"In a care setting, people living with dementia, like my father, should be treated with respect, dignity, and patience and courtesy. They should be treated as human beings and that's all I was asking for."

A hearing to decide sanctions over the behaviour of carer Oluwabunmi Salami, involving the same man, continues.

Earlier in the hearing, Salami admitted allegations that she raised and lowered the man's bed without warning, causing him distress.

A spokesperson for Morar Living said: "There is no truth in Amina Sani's claim that she was not trained properly by Morar.

"When concerns were brought to our attention, Morar Highland acted promptly, including suspending employees where appropriate, undertaking formal investigations and taking action in line with the findings.

"We made the relevant referrals to the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and, where required, to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.

"The safety, dignity and wellbeing of our residents remains our priority, and all concerns regarding staff conduct are taken seriously and acted upon appropriately."