Edinburgh care worker receives warning for going to work twice under the influence of alcohol
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) said Sinead Collins's bad behaviour occurred in June 2020 and December 2022 while working as a deputy service manager at Share Scotland.
Friday 19 January 2024 12:26, UK
A care worker has been reprimanded for drinking alcohol hidden in a water bottle while on duty and later falling asleep on shift.
Sinead Collins has received a two-year warning on her registration for turning up to a residential care home twice under the influence of alcohol.
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) said her bad behaviour occurred in June 2020 and December 2022 while working in Edinburgh as a deputy service manager at Share Scotland.
The SSSC found Collins' fitness to practise impaired.
In a written ruling, the SSSC said: "During the first occasion, you proceeded to drink alcohol disguised in a water bottle while in your place of work.
"You also fell asleep while on shift and neglected your duties to the residents within the service.
"You put residents at risk of unnecessary harm, and it was only due to the actions of your colleagues that meant you were not allowed to work alone with residents and were in fact sent home.
"Acting in such a way falls below the standard that is expected of social service workers."
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The SSSC said Collins had a good employment history but had not shown any insight or regret and had failed to apologise for her behaviour.
The care watchdog stated Collins had shown "poor judgment", adding: "You abused the trust placed in you by your employer and the residents by attempting to work while you were under the influence of alcohol."
The 24-month warning came into effect on Thursday.