Carer Struck Off After Secretly Filming Threatening Elderly Man With Dementia

A carer has been struck off after being secretly filmed threatening an 81-year-old man with dementia and forcibly showering him against his will. Amina Sani was captured on camera by the man's daughter, Su Christie, in his room at Castlehill Care Home in Inverness, Scotland, on April 10, 2025.

Ms Christie had installed a secret camera due to concerns about her father's care. The footage revealed Sani repeatedly mentioning the word "shower," which was known to cause distress to the man due to a childhood trauma. During the 23-minute interaction, Sani can be heard saying, "Ready for a shower? You are going in for a shower." As the man became more agitated and lashed out, he screamed "no" and "leave me alone," telling the staff to "f*** off." Sani responded by saying, "I am not your maid. You hit me, I hit you," and threatened to call the police.

A male housekeeper, who Ms Christie stated was not part of the regular care team, then pinned the man's arms down while Sani proceeded to wash him against his wishes.

When Ms Christie reported the incident to the police, she was reportedly told that staff were entitled to "do their jobs without fear" because her father had lashed out. She explained to officers that her father was not being difficult but was an 81-year-old man with dementia.

Ms Christie also reported two staff members to the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). A misconduct hearing panel found that Sani had pulled the man's duvet off his bed without warning, further increasing his distress. The panel ruled that Sani's behavior was "fundamentally incompatible" with her registration as a care worker, citing a "significant abuse of trust and power" and a lack of remorse.

Sani's legal representative argued that she had not received adequate training for the role, which was her first in the UK, and that she was a victim of broader issues within the social care sector. However, the hearing chairman, Ian Burk, acknowledged that while Sani may have been let down by her employer, it did not absolve her of personal responsibility. He noted that Sani showed no kindness or compassion, and the laughter observed in the footage appeared disrespectful rather than empathetic, concluding that the resident suffered harm and his dignity was not respected.

Castlehill Care Home, now renamed Morar Highland, denied claims that Sani had not been trained. A spokesperson for the home stated that they acted promptly upon concerns being raised, including suspending employees, conducting investigations, and taking appropriate action. The home also confirmed that referrals were made to the SSSC and the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, and that the safety and well-being of residents remain their priority.