Care manager struck off after embezzling over £6,750 from her employer

A care manager from Glasgow has been struck off after she was convicted of embezzling thousands of pounds during her employment.

Christine McNiff was under investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) following allegations of theft.

According to the newly released report, on April 27 McNiff was convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court for embezzling £6,753 between January 9, 2020, and August 26, 2020, from her employer.

In their findings, the SSSC said: “By embezzling a substantial amount of money during your employment as a care manager, you have caused, or were highly likely to have caused, significant financial harm to your employer.”

In addition, McNiff stole money over a period of over eight months, which the SSSC noted showed repeated behaviour; therefore, the risk of her doing it again was deemed to be high.

The watchdog also stated that a reasonable person knowing all the facts would agree McNiff’s behaviour would damage the reputation of the care sector.

“The pattern of behaviour resulting in conviction was deliberate and indicative of a values issue fundamentally incompatible with professional registration,” the report stated.

In determining punishment, factors of concern for the SSSC included McNiff’s abuse of a senior position and the premeditation of her actions, while there were no factors in her favour.

McNiff’s actions were branded “extremely serious” and therefore she was struck from the SSSC register.