Megan Neilson, a support worker from Airdrie, was struck off the professional register by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) on May 6 following her conviction for a sexual relationship with a vulnerable 29-year-old disabled man in her care. The offences occurred between June and August 2022, with court proceedings held at Hamilton Sheriff Court exposing a major breach of trust within social care.
Conviction Details
Neilson denied wrongdoing throughout the trial, but a jury found her guilty. She was sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid work, received an 18-month supervision order, was tagged electronically for one year, and placed on the sex offenders register for five years.
Inappropriate Relationship Exposed
The court heard Neilson developed an inappropriate emotional bond with her client, exchanging declarations of love and engaging in repeated physical affection during outings, including trips to a bowling alley and Strathclyde Park. The most serious incident involved a sexual act in a car at the Falkirk Wheel.
Discovery And Police Involvement
The relationship was uncovered when Neilson and the man appeared hand-in-hand at his father’s home, prompting the father’s alarm and a police alert. Upon police arrival at Neilson’s home, she allegedly asked, “Is this about the inappropriate relationship?” Police interviews revealed the man believed the relationship was genuine despite Neilson’s warning him about the consequences.
SSSC Ruling And Impact
The SSSC found Neilson’s conduct to be a serious violation of professional boundaries, putting the man at risk of significant emotional harm. Their decision to remove her from the register was based on the deliberate and repeated nature of the misconduct and the risk of recurrence. The council condemned her refusal to accept the court findings, limiting any expression of remorse.
Sentencing Considerations
Sheriff Nicolson acknowledged that imprisonment would usually be expected for such offending, but imposed a community-based sentence due to the “particularly detrimental effect” a prison term would have on Neilson’s two young children.
