Glasgow carer 'repeatedly' bounced inflatable ball on elderly resident's head

A carer has received a warning after she was found to have “repeatedly” bounced an inflatable ball on the back of an elderly resident’s head.

Jodie Wallace was employed as a care assistant by Ashgill Care Home in Glasgow when the incident occurred.

An investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) found that on or around April 11, 2021, she repeatedly bounced a large, inflatable ball on the back of an elderly woman’s head – called AA to protect her anonymity.

Despite being told by her colleague to stop, Wallace continued to bounce the ball and caused AA upset in her own home.

The SSSC found that Wallace’s actions, while not spurred by malicious intent, were “unprofessional and degrading”.

Additionally, the decision said: “Your position is that you thought that AA was engaging with you as she was lifting her arm, however, even after a member of staff told you to stop and placed their hand out to cover AA’s head, you continued to bounce the ball towards AA.

“While the SSSC is aware that this particular resident is known to enjoy playing with staff, you exercised very poor judgement in this instance and showed little regard for the resident and what they wanted.”

It added that while this was an isolated incident with Wallace, her ability to do her job was currently impaired and her behaviour “unacceptable”.

The SSSC concluded that a warning of three years would be placed on her registration, in the interest of managing “risks posed to public protection and to uphold public confidence in the profession”.

A spokesperson for Ashgill Care Home has confirmed that Wallace is no longer employed by the company.