A CARE home worker has been censured for snogging a colleague in front of a vulnerable resident in his bedroom.

Kimberly Wilkinson kissed her fellow employee while working at Craigielea Care Home, in Renfrew, in September last year.

An investigation was launched by industry regulator the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) after it received a complaint about her behaviour.

Following a probe, the watchdog has now ruled that Ms Wilkinson’s conduct showed her fitness to practise was impaired.

As a result, she has been given an official warning which will stay on her record for two years, although she is able to continue working as a carer.

In its ruling, the SSSC told Ms Wilkinson: “The resident required one-to-one care, as he was a high falls risk.

“Your actions meant you were not focused on him and therefore he was placed at risk of harm.

“You have also abused the trust placed in you by the resident, their family, your employer and the SSSC.

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“You have shown a lack of regard for the care and dignity of a vulnerable resident.

“Social service workers must not abuse, neglect or harm people who use services.”

The SSSC also said Ms Wilkinson’s behaviour fell below the standards of conduct expected from social service workers and called into question her suitability to work in the sector.

It added: “The public would expect the SSSC, as a responsible regulator, to take action to uphold public confidence in the profession.

“Any repetition of the same or similar behaviour could place residents at risk of harm.”

The SSSC noted that Ms Wilkinson was an experienced staff member and should have been aware of the standards expected from social service workers.

However, the watchdog also said it recognised that she had co-operated with its investigation, which had gone in her favour when the panel made its decision to impose a warning, instead of a more serious sanction.

It has been confirmed that Ms Wilkinson, whose warning notice came into effect on September 27, no longer works at Craigielea.

A spokesperson for Craigielea House Care Home said: “We were horrified to learn of this incident.

"All residents deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and their health, safety and wellbeing will always be our top priority.

“The individual was dismissed from the service following a disciplinary investigation into their conduct and is no longer an employee at the care home.

“Our senior team will provide regular support and training to staff to ensure the home meets the high standards of care which residents deserve and expect.”