AN IRVINE care home worker has been struck off after being convicted of embezzling cash from a boys football club.

Louise Williams, who had been employed as a supervisor at Fullarton Care Home, pocketed £549.71 while treasurer of an under-14s team in February 2018.

She was convicted of embezzlement at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on January 18 this year - and following a fitness to practise hearing held by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) she has now been removed from the care register.

The SSSC decision notice states that in February 2020, Williams failed to inform regulators of the police charge.

"Being convicted of a crime of dishonesty while acting in a position of trust calls into question your suitability to work as a social services worker," the SSSC panel said, "as it demonstrates that you are willing to abuse the trust placed in you for your own financial gain.

"Your actions caused financial harm and could have caused emotional harm.

"Your behaviour breaches the trust and confidence placed in you as a social services worker."

The panel found that Williams' actions fell "far below the standard expected" in the profession.

The report added: "While this was an isolated incident and took place over four years ago, it was a serious one.

"The behaviour is fundamentally incompatible with the values of the profession.

"Users of services should be able to trust the workers that look after them.

"There is also no evidence of any insight, regret or reflection. Therefore, the SSSC has concluded that there is a risk of similar behaviour being repeated."

The removal order came into effect on May 26.

A HC-One spokesperson for the Fullarton home said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority, and we have a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour which does not align with this.

"The individual in question no longer works for us in any capacity.

"We support the SSSC’s decision and will always take action to make sure our care teams share our values and provide the highest standards of kind care to our residents.”