A senior support worker at the Ayrshire-based National Autistic Society has been struck off after taking home £800 in cash from someone under their care — and falsifying a receipt for £50.
Samuel McCulloch was supposed to take the money out of a service user’s funds in advance of supporting them on holiday — then sign the money into a petty cash tin.
But instead, Mauchline-based McCulloch, who worked in the care sector for 12 years with no previous issues, took the cash home.
Days later, McCulloch presented just £750 of the person’s money to a colleague, prior to the start of the holiday.
McCulloch also failed to produce to his employer a receipt for £50, which he said he used to purchase toiletries and towels for the person under his care.
In the days that followed, McCulloch also arranged for the withdrawal of £50 from another service user, which he later claimed was used to purchase a top from Sports Direct.
And when pressed to produce a receipt for the Sports Direct top, McCulloch presented a “falsified” one.
McCulloch’s behaviour was described as “dishonest” and his fitness to practise “impaired,” by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), who looked into the case.
The events unfolded on various dates at the National Autistic Society’s base, in Catrine, between September to October 2021.
In their Notice of Decision the SSSC said to McCulloch: “Social service workers must be honest and trustworthy in order to maintain the trust and confidence placed in them by users of services in their care, their employer and the wider public.
“Falsifying a receipt and making false statements to your employer was dishonest.”
McCulloch, it was said, put service users at “potential risk of financial harm” as their funds could not be “properly accounted for” and his behaviour fell “far below” the standard of conduct expected of a social services worker.
The report goes on: “Your [McCulloch’s] behaviour involved the deliberate concealment of wrongdoing by falsifying documents.
“This behaviour was serious and was fundamentally incompatible with the values of the profession.”
It was noted that McCulloch, who did not engage with the subsequent SSSC investigation, demonstrated “some regret” to his employer, but this was only after his dishonesty had been “exposed” and he had little option but to admit his behaviour.
The report adds: “Users of services should be able to trust the workers that look after them. There is also no evidence of any real insight, regret or reflection by you.
“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.”
Paul Cooke, deputy area manager (Scotland and Northern Ireland) at the National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “Our supported living services in Ayrshire provide care and support to autistic people with complex and significant needs, where we strive to enable them to live a fulfilling and happy life.
“After this matter came to light through our rigorous audit system, put in place to safeguard the people we support, we took immediate and appropriate action.
“Following a thorough investigation, the member of staff concerned was dismissed.
“We were in contact throughout the process with the Care Inspectorate, the SSSC, and the local authority safeguarding team.
“Our priority at all times is the safety and quality of life of the people we support, and we work closely with our local partners and regulators to take prompt action where conduct falls short of where we need it to be.
“We always want to ensure that we are providing the very best in quality care for autistic people.”
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