A SUPPORT worker in a Saltcoats women's refuge failed to alert police to a domestic abuse victim who was in danger, according to a watchdog report.

Jacqueline Harley, who was employed by North Ayrshire Women's Aid, was found to have neglected her duties after an investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

Harley, described as a domestic abuse advocacy worker, was told by a service user – who is not named in the SSSC report, being described only as AA – on April 6, 2021 that she was in danger.

Harley's manager – who is described in the report as ZZ – told the support worker to contact police, but she did not do so.

The SSSC said Harley also failed to compile a risk assessment for the same vulnerable woman.

Following an investigation, the SSSC told Harley she had put the service user at risk of harm as a result of her lack of action.

The support worker was given an official warning, which will remain on her record for a year.

The SSSC judgement published this week added: "Your behaviour was serious.

"Your job was to support the most vulnerable women who were known to be at the highest risk of harm.

"Service workers must recognise and use responsibly the power and authority that they have when working with vulnerable people and are expected to act in a way which minimises the risk of harm.

"You were a qualified and experienced member of staff, but you did not call the police when a woman contacted you to say that she was in danger, even after being told to by your manager.

"Your actions fell below what was expected of you in the circumstances."

The report said that the woman had been working in social services since 2012.

It added: "Social service workers also have a responsibility to maintain clear records in line with their employer’s procedures.

"You failed to put in place an individual risk assessment for the same service user between December 2020 and April 2021, when there were risks known to you about AA.

"If similar behaviour were to be repeated, there would be a risk of harm to vulnerable people and so there is a need in this case to reaffirm the clear standards of professional conduct.

"We decided the appropriate sanction is to place a warning on your registration for a period of 12 months."

The SSSC accepted that there had been no previous concerns abut Harley's conduct and she had also fully cooperated with their investigation.

North Ayrshire Women's Aid has been approached for comment.