A care professional operating in Perthshire has received a formal warning on their registration from Scotland’s social care regulatory body. Roberto Grippo’s conduct was scrutinised by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) after an incident involving a female colleague at a Dunning care facility, leading to a finding that his fitness to practise was impaired.
The events, which took place in May 2020 at Kippen House in Dunning, involved Mr Grippo engaging in behaviour that caused significant distress to a much younger female co-worker, identified in reports as ZZ. The SSSC’s investigation detailed how Mr Grippo aggressively raised his hand towards ZZ, posing the intimidating question, “Do you want five fingers to the face?”
Beyond this direct verbal and physical threat, the report outlined further concerning actions. Mr Grippo was found to have mocked his colleague, reportedly by saying, “You calling mummy, oh mummy?” or similar phrases. This derisive taunting contributed significantly to ZZ’s feeling of fright and intimidation within her professional environment. The confrontation escalated further when, following these exchanges, Mr Grippo then proceeded to tailgate his colleague’s car as she drove, compounding her fear and discomfort.
The SSSC concluded that while no physical harm was inflicted, Mr Grippo’s actions undeniably inflicted emotional harm upon his colleague. This breach of professional conduct, particularly within the sensitive context of social care, underscored the regulator’s decision.
In mitigation, Mr Grippo informed the SSSC that he himself had been subjected to bullying by colleagues. The council acknowledged that such circumstances could lead to understandable feelings of upset and frustration. However, it firmly stated that these personal challenges, while acknowledged, do not serve to excuse or justify his subsequent unprofessional and aggressive behaviour.
The SSSC viewed Mr Grippo’s conduct as a “very poor error of judgement.” Crucially, the council distinguished this from an inherent lack of professional values, suggesting that the incidents were more a reflection of a lapse in appropriate coping mechanisms under stress rather than a fundamental flaw in his commitment to care principles. This nuanced assessment is vital for understanding regulatory decisions in the social care sector, which often balance the protection of service users and colleagues with the rehabilitation and ongoing professional development of individuals.
A significant factor in the SSSC’s final decision was the absence of any further incidents involving Mr Grippo over the five years since the events occurred. This demonstrated a period of sustained good conduct, leading the regulator to classify the incidents as “isolated.” As a result, the SSSC opted to place a one-year warning on Mr Grippo’s registration as a care worker, a measure designed to acknowledge the seriousness of his past actions while recognising his subsequent adherence to professional standards.
This case highlights the critical importance of maintaining a safe and respectful working environment within care settings across Perth and Kinross. The SSSC plays a crucial role in upholding these standards, ensuring that individuals in care professions adhere to a strict code of conduct that prioritises the well-being and safety of both those they care for and their colleagues. For residents in Dunning and wider Perthshire who rely on these services, the regulatory oversight offers a level of assurance regarding the quality and integrity of local care provisions.
The decision to issue a warning rather than a more severe sanction like suspension or removal from the register reflects the SSSC’s balanced approach, considering both the impact of the misconduct and any mitigating factors, alongside an individual’s subsequent behaviour. This ongoing monitoring ensures that care professionals in our communities like Perth, Kinross, and the surrounding rural areas continue to meet the high ethical and professional expectations required of their vital roles.
The events, which took place in May 2020 at Kippen House in Dunning, involved Mr Grippo engaging in behaviour that caused significant distress to a much younger female co-worker, identified in reports as ZZ. The SSSC’s investigation detailed how Mr Grippo aggressively raised his hand towards ZZ, posing the intimidating question, “Do you want five fingers to the face?”
Beyond this direct verbal and physical threat, the report outlined further concerning actions. Mr Grippo was found to have mocked his colleague, reportedly by saying, “You calling mummy, oh mummy?” or similar phrases. This derisive taunting contributed significantly to ZZ’s feeling of fright and intimidation within her professional environment. The confrontation escalated further when, following these exchanges, Mr Grippo then proceeded to tailgate his colleague’s car as she drove, compounding her fear and discomfort.
The SSSC concluded that while no physical harm was inflicted, Mr Grippo’s actions undeniably inflicted emotional harm upon his colleague. This breach of professional conduct, particularly within the sensitive context of social care, underscored the regulator’s decision.
In mitigation, Mr Grippo informed the SSSC that he himself had been subjected to bullying by colleagues. The council acknowledged that such circumstances could lead to understandable feelings of upset and frustration. However, it firmly stated that these personal challenges, while acknowledged, do not serve to excuse or justify his subsequent unprofessional and aggressive behaviour.
The SSSC viewed Mr Grippo’s conduct as a “very poor error of judgement.” Crucially, the council distinguished this from an inherent lack of professional values, suggesting that the incidents were more a reflection of a lapse in appropriate coping mechanisms under stress rather than a fundamental flaw in his commitment to care principles. This nuanced assessment is vital for understanding regulatory decisions in the social care sector, which often balance the protection of service users and colleagues with the rehabilitation and ongoing professional development of individuals.
A significant factor in the SSSC’s final decision was the absence of any further incidents involving Mr Grippo over the five years since the events occurred. This demonstrated a period of sustained good conduct, leading the regulator to classify the incidents as “isolated.” As a result, the SSSC opted to place a one-year warning on Mr Grippo’s registration as a care worker, a measure designed to acknowledge the seriousness of his past actions while recognising his subsequent adherence to professional standards.
This case highlights the critical importance of maintaining a safe and respectful working environment within care settings across Perth and Kinross. The SSSC plays a crucial role in upholding these standards, ensuring that individuals in care professions adhere to a strict code of conduct that prioritises the well-being and safety of both those they care for and their colleagues. For residents in Dunning and wider Perthshire who rely on these services, the regulatory oversight offers a level of assurance regarding the quality and integrity of local care provisions.
The decision to issue a warning rather than a more severe sanction like suspension or removal from the register reflects the SSSC’s balanced approach, considering both the impact of the misconduct and any mitigating factors, alongside an individual’s subsequent behaviour. This ongoing monitoring ensures that care professionals in our communities like Perth, Kinross, and the surrounding rural areas continue to meet the high ethical and professional expectations required of their vital roles.