A FORMER care home manager has been removed from the care register after covering up injuries to an autistic man.

Christopher Price, the former boss at Newport-based The Lodge, was accused of bullying and harassing staff, failing to ensure the well-being of a resident - referred to as Person A - and acting dishonestly by hiding information.

After finding that three allegations against Price were proven, a Social Care Wales committee decided yesterday to impose a removal order.

Chairman Jason Bartlett said: “We decided a removal order was the only appropriate sanction.

“We have considered it to be appropriate in the view of the seriousness of his dishonesty.

“We believe this was necessary to protect the public and safeguard the public confidence in social care services.”

The committee had previously heard how Mr Price failed to ensure the needs of Person A – a “highly vulnerable” person on the autism spectrum who is unable to communicate verbally.

Amongst others, Mr Price didn’t ensure there were clear pathways of communication in relation to person A’s behaviour or that there was enough training for staff, the panel had previously found.

The committee also heard evidence from witnesses, who all agreed Mr Price used “abusive language”.

They also heard that, in the care home’s own investigation, 11 out of 12 staff complained about Mr Price’s approach.

Jennifer Feeney, presenting the case for Social Care Wales, said Price had admitted the allegations of bullying and harassment - but denied allegations of failing to ensure the well-being of Person A.

The chairman said the committee had reviewed the aggravating and mitigating factors.

These included oral evidence that Mr Price had often dealt “appropriately” with users on a one to one basis.

“There is no evidence he has shown remorse or has reflected on his actions,” Mr Bartlett said.

“He was dishonest and he showed a serious disregard for the code of professional practice for social care.”

The committee found his fitness to practice was impaired on the grounds of “lack of competence” and “misconduct”.

Mr Bartlett said: “His bullying of staff affected his fitness to practice.

“The ground of lack of competence is also met because he lacked certain skills - Mr Price had identified he lacked training in working with people in the autism spectrum.”

Mr Price, who did not attend the fitness to practice hearing in Cardiff, was suspended by his employer Real Life Options on July 14, 2014 over the allegations of bullying and harassment.