An Inverness care home support worker has vowed he will never work in the sector again after he was censured by an industry watchdog for his behaviour with a client.
Ewen MacBean, who also works as a fitness trainer, has been allowed to continue working in social care despite discussing sex acts with the care home resident.
But he has decided to leave the care industry voluntarily.
While police concluded there was no case to answer, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) found he had committed “serious breaches of professional boundaries” that included sharing a swimming pool cubicle with the man.
Claiming he did nothing improper, Mr MacBean, 32 and single, said that with hindsight he would have handled the situation better.
While working at the unidentified care home, between 2014 and 2016, his behaviour towards the resident, known as “AA”, was deemed “inappropriate” by the SSSC.
The hearing found he “discussed pornographic websites with service user AA,” and communicated with him on online dating websites.
It was also stated he had discussions with the man about sex acts and sexuality which were not part of the client’s agreed care plan.
The man’s emotional attachment towards Mr MacBean was described by staff as being “obsessive”.
The SSSC opted for a warning for a period of four years rather than barring him from work as a carer.
Speaking yesterday, he said: “The police deemed there was no criminal activity. The council were fair. Ultimately, I feel let down by the care industry. It’s destroyed me as a carer. I never want to work in care again.
“It’s been devastating. It’s not a nice feeling when you think everyone’s talking about you and not actually knowing the whole story.”
He admitted sharing a swimming pool cubicle with “AA” once but that he was not naked in front of him and “nothing untoward” happened.
Asked what he had learned from the experience, he said: “Not to trust anybody.”
He added: “If you’re ever worried about anything write it down and get everything evidence-based.”
