Support worker warned for attempting to install listening device to eavesdrop on colleagues

A support worker has been disciplined for attempting to install a listening device at work to eavesdrop on colleagues.

Alice Moore has also been reprimanded after a service user added her to their will.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) found Moore’s fitness to practise impaired and has placed a warning on her care registration for a period of 18 months.

Moore’s misconduct occurred while employed as a social care worker in Lerwick by Shetland Islands Council.

The SSSC said in or around August 2018, Moore provided a co-worker with a listening/recording device.

The care watchdog said it was intended that the colleague would set up the device so Moore “would be able to covertly listen to workplace conversations”.

The care watchdog stated social service workers are expected to respect the privacy of service users and act in a respectful manner to colleagues.

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The SSSC added: “In intending that a listening/recording device be set up in your workplace without the knowledge of your colleagues or service users, you risked infringing on their privacy.”

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Between March 2020 and February 2021, Moore was said to have told a service user “well you can leave me money in your will, it’s legal” or words to that effect when the man said he wanted to give her cash for her “extra help” but knew he was not allowed to.

Moore was said to have suggested £600 as an amount of money he could leave, and by her actions it contributed to the service user leaving a bequest in his will. The gift was later removed.

The SSSC said Moore’s behaviour could have been regarded as a “light-hearted comment, albeit with serious consequences”.

The watchdog said: “As a social service worker, you are expected to communicate in an appropriate, open and straightforward manner.

“While the comments you made to [the service user] are to be regarded as made without financial motivation, they were prone to be misinterpreted, as they actually were.

“Your comment resulted in [the service user], a vulnerable person, making you a bequest which risked damage to [the service user’s] estate and beneficiaries.

“Your behaviour was likely to have caused some emotional harm to [the service user]. He required to remove the bequest from his will and was apprehensive at you returning to provide support.”

Moore was said to have demonstrated “limited insight” but had cooperated with the SSSC investigation and provided positive testimonials regarding her character.

The 18-month warning came into effect on Saturday.

A spokesperson for Shetland Islands Council said: “We note the decision of the SSSC in this case.”

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