A former Perth nursery worker has been struck off after “deliberately exploiting” a vulnerable colleague by taking thousands of pounds from her.
Megan Hutchison, a support worker at Craigie Park Nursery at the time, has had her registration removed by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), after it was revealed she asked her colleague to give her money and used her bank card to pay for goods, thought to be worth up to £7,670.
A report by SSSC said the exploitation was “planned and deliberate” and was classed as a form of emotional abuse but Hutchison showed a “lack of insight, regret or reflection” over her actions and has not apologised, although the money has now been returned to the victim.
It stated there is evidence of Hutchison asking the colleague, named only as “A” to withdraw money from her personal bank account for her own use or the use of others, as well as using A’s bank card to pay for things.
This happened on multiple occasions between June 2017 and January 2018, totalling between £6,500 and £7,670, according to the report.
The notice of decision, confirming Hutchison’s removal from the register of support workers, said: “In taking advantage of a colleague who is vulnerable and by accepting a significant amount of money, you exploited your colleague for your own personal gain.
“This behaviour is extremely serious. A was a vulnerable colleague who believed she was helping you as a friend and did not truly understand the value of the money she was giving to you.
“You have behaved in a manner that is fundamentally incompatible with professional registration.”
The manager of the privately run Craigie Park Nursery was unavailable for comment but an employee confirmed Hutchison no longer works there.
The report noted that none of the allegations took place at the nursery and that Hutchison told A not to tell anyone else at the nursery about the arrangement, adding “this suggests you knew what was happening was wrong but did not want anyone else to find out about it.”
It continued: “If you were allowed to work again with vulnerable people on an unrestricted basis, the public would rightly be very concerned about this, given the risk associated with you exploiting another vulnerable person.
It is understood there are no criminal proceedings against Hutchison as there were no records of the incident with Tayside Police or at Perth Sheriff Court.
