Nursery worker fed allergic toddler egg then staged cover-up

A nursery worker has been rapped by a watchdog for feeding an allergic child egg and then attempting to cover up the blunder.

The 15-month-old toddler fell ill and had to receive hospital treatment following the incident in Bathgate, West Lothian, in February last year.

The worker failed to report her mistake when she realised it was a known allergen and instead acted dishonestly by recording that she’d only fed the child toast and water.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) found her fitness to practise impaired.

In a written ruling published this month, the watchdog said: “You were negligent in your duty of care and put a child at unnecessary risk of harm.

“The child suffered a severe allergic reaction and had to attend hospital following the incident.”

The SSSC said the lack of immediate medical attention could have led to the child going into anaphylactic shock.

In response to the worker’s attempted cover-up, the SSSC stated: “By omitting to record that a child in your care received certain food that you gave them, this behaviour represents concealment.

“Concealment is a breach of the trust and confidence placed in you and an abuse of your position.”

The watchdog branded the behaviour a “serious lapse in your judgment and integrity”.

The worker was found to have demonstrated insight, regret and remorse for her actions.

Issuing a warning to stay on her registration for two years, the SSSC noted: “Your former employer and colleagues have commented on your good practice within the service and confirmed that there were no other concerns.

“The behaviour was isolated in the context of an 18-year career working in care.

“Taking into account the mitigating factors above, it appears unlikely that similar misconduct would be repeated by you.”

The warning came into effect on January 8.