A care home worker who was secretly filmed causing distress to an 81-year-old resident with dementia faces being struck off the professional register after a disciplinary panel found multiple allegations against her proven.
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) panel determined that eight allegations against Amina Sani were substantiated, including that she threatened to involve police after the man became distressed at the prospect of being showered against his will. The incidents at Castlehill Care Home in Inverness occurred in 2025 and were captured on a hidden camera installed by the resident's daughter, footage that later appeared in a documentary investigation.
Sani maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings, contending that inadequate training and her inexperience—as this was her first employment in the United Kingdom—contributed to her actions. According to reporting on the hearing, Sani said she started work at Castlehill on 24 December 2024 and claimed she received no training, induction, shadowing, or early access to the resident's care plan.
The care home's operator, Morar Living, rejected Sani's assertion about inadequate training, stating in a statement that it had acted swiftly when concerns were raised and that there was "no truth" in her claim of insufficient preparation.
What specific conduct did the panel find proven?
The panel established that Sani told the resident:
We will call the police and they will take you to courtor words to that effect. It also determined that Sani permitted a male cleaner to hold the resident's arms down and restrain him while she provided intimate personal care on 10 April 2025.
The panel found that Sani's response to the resident's resistance included telling him:
I am not your maid. You hit me, I will hit youor words to that effect. Adjudicators ruled that her behaviour caused the resident distress, that she failed to employ any de-escalation techniques, and that she pulled his duvet off without warning.
Evidence presented to the hearing showed that Sani had completed online training courses on dementia awareness, adult support and protection, and communication, according to documentation provided by Morar Living. However, the panel's findings suggest these courses did not translate into appropriate practice during the incidents in question.
How did the allegations come to light?
The resident's daughter, Su Christie, installed a secret camera at the home after becoming concerned about her father's care. She had already filed four complaints with the Care Inspectorate, all of which were upheld.
I had numerous concerns regarding his care. I'd had four complaints upheld by the Care Inspectorate already. The biggest concern was neglect. He was smelly, he was dirty.
Christie told the hearing that she had become alarmed by the quality of care her father was receiving. The footage she captured showed the bed-bound resident becoming increasingly agitated, swearing and lashing out while being told he would be showered, repeatedly saying "no".
I found it very very distressing. I never thought that people would treat him like that. My confidence was just gone.
The hidden camera footage later featured in a documentary investigation that brought the care home's practices under public scrutiny.
What arguments did the defence present?
Sani's legal representative, Namatirai Chipere, argued that her client had been "thrown in at the deep end quite soon" and had been "failed by the system of social care". The defence contended that the conduct in question represented an isolated incident rather than evidence of an ongoing pattern of disregard, and that there was no risk of repetition. Chipere also suggested that Sani could undertake remedial action to improve her practice.
The SSSC's lawyer, Gary Burton, presented a contrasting assessment. He characterised Sani's comments as
threatening in natureand argued they did not reflect respect for the resident. Burton stated:
There were a number of threats which were entirely inappropriate and an inappropriate restraint technique. It showed a lack of empathy and amounted to potentially harmful treatment of a vulnerable individual. This was not a momentary lapse or isolated comment. Despite clear video evidence there have been clear denials. It brings into question the suitability to work in the profession.
What happened to other staff members involved?
A second carer, Oluwabunmi Hannah Salami, was also subject to SSSC proceedings arising from the same incidents. According to reporting on the hearings, Salami admitted allegations that she raised and lowered the resident's bed without warning, causing him distress. She admitted putting a resident at risk of harm during the earlier stages of the hearing process.
How did the care home respond?
Morar Living stated that it had acted promptly once concerns were brought to its attention. A spokesperson said:
When concerns were brought to our attention, Morar Highland acted promptly, including suspending employees where appropriate, undertaking formal investigations and taking action in line with the findings. We made the relevant referrals to the SSSC and, where required, to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.
The operator emphasised that
The safety, dignity and wellbeing of our residents remains our priority, and all concerns regarding staff conduct are taken seriously and acted upon appropriately.It reiterated that
There is no truth in Amina Sani's claim that she was not trained properly by Morar.
What is the current status of the resident?
The former resident is now living in a different care home, according to Su Christie, who installed the hidden camera and gave evidence at the hearing. This move followed the concerns she had raised about the quality of care at Castlehill.
What happens next?
The SSSC panel is continuing its deliberations to determine whether Sani's and Salami's fitness to practise have been impaired and what sanctions, if any, should be imposed. According to reporting on the proceedings, a five-day hearing began on 22 September 2026, with submissions concluding on 23 September 2026. The panel chair indicated that its next task was to decide whether the hidden footage proved the allegations. Possible outcomes include removal from the SSSC register, which would effectively end both workers' careers in social care in Scotland. The hearing schedule extended through 29 September 2026 to allow time for the panel's decision-making process.
Key Facts
- Eight allegations against Amina Sani were found proven by an SSSC disciplinary panel, including threatening to call police and failing to use de-escalation techniques with a vulnerable resident.
- The incidents were captured on a hidden camera installed by the resident's daughter after she had already filed four upheld complaints with the Care Inspectorate.
- Sani claimed inadequate training and inexperience as her defence, while the care home operator denied this assertion and stated it had acted promptly when concerns emerged.
- A second worker, Oluwabunmi Hannah Salami, admitted related allegations of causing distress to the same resident.
- The panel is expected to rule on whether removal from the professional register is warranted, which would prevent both workers from practising in social care in Scotland.
