Elgin support worker struck off over discriminatory comments

A support worker in Elgin has been struck off following discriminatory comments she made about immigrants.

Jayne MacDonald, a support worker in Moray, was under investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) for comments made at work.

The SSSC panel determined Ms MacDonald’s comments violated the principles of the care profession.

The newly released report states Ms MacDonald, in November 2025, while in the presence of two supported people, said to her colleague, “all to do with and the fault of the immigrants that had come over”.

On another occasion, she said of another supported person, “they just need a good shower, ” and went on to repeat the phrase.

The SSSC panel was tasked with investigating whether Ms MacDonald’s fitness to practice was compromised due to her derogatory and discriminatory comments.

Ms MacDonald’s comments were found to be very serious and a “substantial departure” from the SSSC code of practice.

The SSSC panel labelled her comments discriminatory and that she had caused emotional harm to those she supported who were within earshot.

The report stated: “Given the attitudinal nature of your behaviour and the lack of insight shown by you, the risk of repetition was assessed as high.

“There is a need to protect supported people from the behaviour being repeated.”

Ms MacDonald was further criticised for her lack of remorse and failure to cooperate with the investigation, which raised concerns about her continued work in the care sector.

The SSSC struck Ms MacDonald from the care register, highlighting the seriousness of her behaviour, lack of insight and risk of repetition as the reason behind the decision.