A CARE worker has avoided being struck off despite dressing up in a resident's clothes and pretending to give birth to her therapy dolls.

A probe was launched at the Buccleuch Care Centre in Hawick almost two years ago following complaints of "inappropriate communications".

The care centre provides nursing and residential care for 17 vulnerable adults over the age of 65.

Support worker Jamie Blacklock last month appeared in front of the Scottish Social Services Council.

At the hearing he admitted posing for photos dressed in an elderly resident's clothing and jewellery on October 27, 2017.

And he also accepted a second charge of dressing up for photos in the woman's clothing and jewellery, lying on her bed and pretending to give birth to the dolls.

A spokesperson for the SSSC said: "Social service workers are trusted to care for the most vulnerable members of society.

"They must protect them, insofar as possible, from harm and must not abuse or neglect them.

"The behaviour is serious as it was demeaning, but it did not result in any harm to residents."

Blacklock, who no longer works at the Hawick care home, apologised during the initial investigation as well as to the Scottish Social Services Council.

And he produced five character references to present at the Fitness to Practise hearing.

This week it was ruled for a warning to be placed on his registration for the next 18 months.

The spokesperson told Blacklock: "You dressed up in a resident's belongings and pretended to give birth to the same resident’s therapy dolls.

"You failed to treat the resident or their belongings with dignity and respect.

"You abused the power placed in you by virtue of your job role and mocked a vulnerable resident by dressing up in and using their belongings.

"You had a previous sustained period of good practise prior to the incident and have provided positive references.

"It was an isolated incident and the risk of repetition is therefore considered to be towards the lower end of the spectrum."