By Aileen Robertson

STAFF AND service users at a Fife support group have been suffering “abuse” and “bullying.”

The Care Commission carried out an investigation at Dunfermline Women’s Aid housing support service after an anonymous complaint.

As well as upholding claims of bullying, the commission found “sufficient information” to support an allegation that service users’ mail was being opened by staff without their consent.

Dunfermline Women’s Aid, based in Appin Crescent, was set up to provide information, support and refuge to women experiencing domestic abuse.

Investigating officers concluded that staff were “fearful” and there was “inequality and a misuse of power” within the service after it was claimed that staff and service users were being bullied by a group of five workers.

A letter from Care Commission team manager Rachel Webb to the Dunfermline group detailing findings of the investigation was handed anonymously to The Courier.

Ms Webb said, “It is of grave concern to the investigating officers that members of the staff group have described their experience of working in this environment as ‘abusive.’ ”

The housing support service has been asked to “review the fitness and integrity” of its staff and has been reminded that bullying and harassment are contrary to the Scottish Social Services Council codes of practice.

Ms Webb continued, “With regard to the current staffing issues, it is the opinion of the investigating officers that immediate consideration should be given for an alternative arrangement to provide staff supervision with an external agency.”

Regarding the opening of service users’ mail, the commission said there was a “lack of clear guidelines for staff to follow.”

Ms Webb said, “It is essential that the service is provided in a manner which respects the privacy and dignity of service users.”

Investigating officers found evidence that service users with mental health problems were not given the same support as other service users.

Ms Webb said, “It is essential that all persons receive training appropriate to the work they are to perform.”

The findings concluded, “There is sufficient information to indicate that the service is not operating fairly as a collective. Staff are fearful, there is inequality and a misuse of power/authority which is impacting on users of the service.”

All 20 members of staff at the housing support service were interviewed in December of last year. Ruth Cowie and Lorna Shewan were the investigating officers.

The service has until March 10 to come up with an action plan to address the commission’s requirements.

A spokesperson for Dunfermline Women’s Aid acknowledged that an anonymous complaint had been made on September 29 of last year.

She said, “Dunfermline Women’s Aid have a right of response to the Care Commission and have 28 days in which to do so. The group will be responding to the Care Commission as there are a number of issues that require further discussion. It is therefore inappropriate for Dunfermline Women’s Aid to comment further on the report at this time.

“Dunfermline Women’s Aid operates an open and accountable service both to our funding bodies and to women and children who have experienced domestic abuse.”