A SOCIAL care worker who worked in Kilmarnock has been struck off after a series of criminal convictions.
Lauren Meaden was removed from the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) register on March 19, following offences including fraud, theft, and causing fear or alarm.
Her convictions were not directly related to her professional role but were found to be incompatible with the standards expected of a social care worker.
An SSSC spokesman said: "Social service workers are expected to be honest and trustworthy and must not behave, while in or outside work, in a way which would call into question their suitability to work in social services.
"Stealing money from another person is conduct which is inherently dishonest and amounts to financial abuse.
"Your actions indicate a pattern of abusive behaviour which is inappropriate for a member of a caring profession.
"You have shown no insight, regret or remorse.
"The conduct is attitudinal, and we can take no reassurance that it has been remedied.
"There is therefore a risk of repetition and an ongoing need to protect the public."
In September 2025, Meaden was convicted at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court of two offences that took place between October 1, 2021 and July 4, 2022.
The SSSC found that she fraudulently used a debit card belonging to another person, pretending to be the card owner and obtaining goods and services worth £8,467.29.
She was also found to have unlawfully accessed and stolen £5,978.28 from a TSB bank account through online transactions and cash withdrawals.
In a separate incident, she was convicted in January 2025 of causing fear or alarm under the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.
This offence was not work-related, but the nature of her behaviour contributed to the SSSC's decision to remove her from the register.
The SSSC said Meaden failed to meet parts of its code of practice.
The regulator concluded that her behaviour demonstrated a disregard for the law and placed others at risk of financial, emotional and psychological harm.
The SSSC said a warning, conditions, or suspension would not adequately address the seriousness of the offences or protect the public.
It said only permanent removal from the register would maintain public trust in the profession.
Meaden was notified on January 27, of the intention to impose a removal order and was advised to seek legal counsel.
She did not request a hearing before a fitness to practise panel.
The SSSC therefore imposed the removal order under its regulatory powers.
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