Social care worker bought pizzas, empire biscuits and baby milk with service user's money

A social care worker who bought pizzas, empire biscuits, and baby milk with a “vulnerable” service user’s money has been struck off.

Kristoffer Smith was employed as a complex needs practitioner by Richmond Fellowship Scotland Limited in Penicuik when the incidents occurred in 2023.

The charity provides services and support for mental health, learning disabilities, dementia and alcohol issues.

Following an investigation carried out by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), it was determined that Smith used a supported person’s money to purchase three pizzas, four large empire biscuits, and two chocolate puddings for himself without their consent.

Two months later, Smith took money from the same service user to purchase baby milk for himself. He later attempted to hide his purchase by defacing a shopping receipt.

The watchdog said Smith’s behaviour is “incompatible with professional registration”, and accused him of abusing his position of trust.

“Your behaviour was dishonest and an abuse of the trust placed in you by the supported individual, your employer and the public,” the SSSC told Smith.

The watchdog said there was a “pattern of behaviour”, and it concluded that removing Smith from the care register was the only way to maintain public confidence and uphold proper standards.

“A pattern of behaviour has been demonstrated because over two separate occasions you have used the supported person’s money to purchase personal items without their consent,” the SSSC told Smith.

“This behaviour raises ongoing public protection concerns because if repeated, a vulnerable person would be at risk of financial harm. You have taken deliberate steps to avoid being open and honest with the supported individual and your employer by defacing a shopping receipt to conceal your wrongdoing.”

The SSSC removed Smith from the care register and banned him from working in the sector as a result of the incident.