A CARE worker has been struck off from working in the sector after he manipulated an elderly lady into lending him £1,000.

David Ross was found to have "abused the trust and power" placed in his role after he manipulated a resident at Clyde Court Care Home by burdening her with his financial difficulties then asking her for a loan of £1,000.

Ross' actions were clocked by care watchdogs before stood at the Social Services Council (SSSC) who detailed his misconduct at the care home.

A report details Ross had told the vulnerable lady that she could "trust him" and that his actions have resulted in a "serious abuse of trust".

It reads: "By disclosing your financial difficulties and requesting and/or accepting a loan from a service user you have abused the trust and power placed in you as a social services worker and have caused financial harm to a service user.

"The behaviour is at the higher end of the scale of seriousness and represents a substantial departure from the SSSC Codes of Practise and constitutes behaviour that is fundamentally incompatible with registration.

"The behaviour is an isolated incident, but this does not lessen the seriousness given that it amounts to a significant financial abuse of a vulnerable service user."

The panel ruled that the removal of Ross from the register was the most appropriate action that it could take.

The report adds: "The SSSC considers that a removal order is the most appropriate sanction as it is both necessary and justified in the public interest and to maintain the continuing trust and confidence in the social service profession and the SSSC as the regulator of the profession."