Carer receives two-year warning for failing to report almost £10,000 wage overpayment

A carer who was overpaid by almost £10,000 has been rapped for failing to report the mistake to bosses.

Justice Kambalata received three payments amounting to £9,289.29 between November 2022 and January 2023 while working for Newcross Healthcare Solutions Ltd in Aberdeen.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) said Kambalata's behaviour caused the firm "significant financial harm".

The watchdog said: "You were overpaid by your agency and failed to report this or return the funds.

"It is not clear if you have now paid the funds back. You have caused your previous employer significant financial harm.

"Your actions have been dishonest. This falls below the standards of conduct expected of a social service worker and amounts to misconduct."

Newcross Healthcare Solutions Ltd was contacted for comment.

The SSSC said Kambalata's behaviour was not an isolated incident as it occurred on three separate occasions.

The watchdog added: "You took advantage of a mistake made by your employer and used the money for your personal benefit. Your behaviour, as stated, could be viewed as fundamentally incompatible with the values of the profession."

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Kambalata has now received a warning on their registration for a period of two years.

A number of conditions have also been imposed, with Kambalata ordered to submit a reflective account detailing "why it was wrong to keep the money" and what they "would now do differently if faced with a similar situation".

The SSSC noted that Kambalata had demonstrated insight and remorse. They also received positive references from previous employers.

But the watchdog added: "There is a need to protect vulnerable service users from financial and emotional harm. There is a real risk of financial and emotional harm being caused if your behaviour were to be repeated."

The two-year warning came into effect on Thursday.