A CARE worker who attacked a disabled woman she was supposed to be looking after has been struck off.

Claire Drynan, of Lochwinnoch, repeatedly struck the vulnerable pensioner with her hand while working in Renfrewshire, causing “physical and emotional harm.”

The incident took place in November 2020, while Drynan was employed as a support practitioner.

She was convicted of the offence, which was aggravated by prejudice relating to disability, at Paisley Sheriff Court in January this year.

Now Drynan has been removed from the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) register.

A report issued to Drynan by the SSSC after it considered the case states: “Social service workers are expected to meet relevant standards of practice and not abuse, neglect or harm people who use services.

“They are expected to not put themselves or other people at risk of harm and should not behave in a way which would bring their suitability to work in social services into question.

"You were convicted of assaulting a disabled service user in your care. Your actions have caused physical and emotional harm to a vulnerable service user and are very serious.

“You have demonstrated only limited insight and regret.

“Although the behaviour was an isolated incident which would indicate a limited risk of repetition, your behaviour demonstrated a marked and serious loss of self-control in an everyday caring situation in which, especially given your prior experience, you were entrusted to remain calm.

“On this basis, and given the lack of assurances to the contrary, we consider that there is a foreseeable risk that the behaviour may be repeated in the future should you be allowed to continue to work in social services."

The report also states that Drynan's behaviour "fell far below the standards expected of a registered worker."

It adds: “The behaviour is fundamentally incompatible with professional registration and does breach the fundamental tenets of the social service profession, which is indicative of an underlying values issue.

“In terms of remediation, crimes of violence are difficult to remedy as it demonstrates that you are willing to place other people at risk of harm.

“You are an experienced social service worker, who has been registered with the SSSC since June 2019, and you should have been aware of the standards expected of you.”