Care home worker struck off after she hit resident with a slipper

Ann Rodger struck a resident on the body at Argyll House Nursing Home, Kilmarnock, on October 2, 2024 and was later convicted for assault at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.

A care worker has been struck off for assaulting a nursing home resident with a slipper.

Ann Rodger struck a resident on the body at Argyll House Nursing Home, Kilmarnock, on October 2, 2024.

Rodger was convicted for assault on October 9, 2025 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.

The victim was living with dementia at the time of the incident.

Now Rodger has been struck off the register after the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) looked into the case and deemed her fitness to practise “impaired.”

In their notice of decision the SSSC told Rodger: “Social care workers are expected not to abuse, neglect or harm people who use services. They are expected not to place themselves or others at unnecessary risk. Social care workers are also expected not to behave in a way, inside or outside of work, which would call into question their suitability to work in the social care profession.

“You (Rodger) have been convicted of an assault of an elderly resident in your care by striking her on the body with a slipper. This behaviour amounts to physical abuse and risk of harm to a vulnerable resident.

“Your conviction calls into question your suitability to work in the social care profession.”

Although “no injury” to the victim was libelled in the conviction, the SSSC took the view that Rodger’s behaviour would cause a “clear risk of harm” to a vulnerable person living in a care home with dementia.

“She relied on you for kind and compassionate care,” the report says. “You behaved in a violent manner towards her. We have serious concerns that you do not hold the right values to be a social care worker.”

Rodger, it was revealed, did have a “good previous history” and she “engaged” with the SSSC investigation.

But she did not show “any insight or remorse” for her actions.

“We cannot be reassured that similar behaviour would not happen again in the future. There is a clear need to protect the public given the seriousness of the conviction. There is a need to maintain public confidence to find your fitness to practise impaired,” the SSSC said.

The regulator added: “The SSSC considers 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.”