Carrickfergus Care Worker Barred After Assault and Verbal Abuse at Dementia Home

Melanie Vint Removed from Social Care Register After Tribunal Findings

A Carrickfergus care worker has been permanently removed from the profession after a tribunal found she assaulted a vulnerable male resident and used abusive language towards another at a residential dementia home.

Melanie Vint (51), formerly employed at Wood Green Residential Home in Jordanstown, was found guilty of serious misconduct and accepted a police caution following the events of February 9, 2022.

Shocking Allegations of Abuse

The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) held a tribunal to investigate the behaviour of Vint, who was working as a social care supervisor at the time. The home houses up to 78 residents, many of whom suffer from dementia.

A student paramedic on placement at the home reported multiple concerns, including:

• Vint pushing a male resident through a doorway and later slamming a door in his face
• Using abusive language, calling a female resident a “fat lazy bh” and a “f**g liar” in front of others
• Using foul language throughout her shift in front of residents
• Failing to seek medical advice for concerns raised by a resident’s family
• Instructing staff not to help feed a vulnerable service user

Police Involvement and Tribunal Outcome

Police investigated the incident, and Vint was charged with common assault at Laganside Magistrates Court in October 2023. She pleaded not guilty, but later accepted a caution, admitting to the offence.

The NISCC committee ruled that her fitness to practise was impaired by misconduct and the caution. It noted that she:

• Showed no remorse or insight into her actions
• Did not attend the hearing or respond to the proceedings
• Posed a high risk of repeating such behaviour

The tribunal concluded that removal from the social care register was the only proportionate action to protect the public and uphold trust in the profession.

Public Protection Comes First

The NISCC’s statement read:

“(Ms Vint) had not engaged with these proceedings and there was no evidence of any insight, remorse or regret. The committee concluded that the risk of repetition was very high.”