Edinburgh support worker 'shouted at autistic service user' and sent offensive WhatsApp messages

An Edinburgh support worker has received a warning after she shouted at an autistic service user and sent multiple offensive and derogatory messages in a WhatsApp group chat.

Courtney Manclark was employed by Blackwood Homes and Care at Blackwood Care Edinburgh and South East Services in 2021 when the incidents occurred.

On or around May 9 that year, she shouted at service user AA, saying: “Don’t speak to me like that…I’m cancelling your one-to-one…you’ve screwed that one up yourself doll”, or words to that effect.

She also recorded her actions in a video and shared it in an iMessage chat with her colleague.

In addition, on multiple dates between January 29, 2021 and June 3, 2021, she sent messages in a WhatsApp group chat with two colleagues making derogatory comments about service users.

A hearing of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) decided that she had failed to communicate with a person who uses services in an appropriate manner.

It said: “Your actions had the potential to cause emotional harm to this person.

“As a result, the person using services may feel less likely to seek assistance or support out of fear they may be shouted at by you, or other registered social service workers.”

Of the group chat, the council stated that derogatory and offensive texts sent by and to Ms Manclark were a “serious abuse of trust”.

It added that her remorse and insight were limited, with little or no consideration of the service users.

The council found that there was a risk of repetition, and has placed a 12-month warning on her registration.

A spokesperson for Blackwood Homes and Care said: “I can confirm that the individual did work with Blackwood and we launched an immediate investigation as soon as we were made aware of the situation.

“We then referred the matter to the SSSC. I can also confirm that the individual no longer works for Blackwood and has not since 2021.”