Mencap suspends support worker after shocking image shows her loading shopping bags on top of wheelchair user

The learning disability charity has reported the incident to the local authority safeguarding team

(Charlotte Shaw/Facebook)

A shocking image shared on Facebook appears to show a support worker for learning disability charity Mencap loading shopping bags directly on top of a vulnerable wheelchair user - while she takes a cigarette break.

The photograph, which was uploaded to the charity's social media account, was apparently taken in Leicester and is accompanied by the caption: "One of your staff in the Leicestershire area smoking whilst on the phone in Leicester shoving all of her shopping bags on top of him with no care in the world."

It has been taken extremely seriously by Mencap, who replied to say they had already suspended the woman.

"We are appalled by what is happening in the picture," they responded in a comment posted below the photograph.

"After seeing it we immediately took action, and have suspended the support worker in question and reported the issue to the relevant local authority safeguarding team.

"We take the wellbeing of the people we support extremely seriously, and we expect and train our staff to deliver high quality care and support services.

"What we see here would fall well below that standard. Our priority now, as always, is ensuring that we offer the highest quality of care to our beneficiaries so they live the lives they choose."

Steve Baker, Regional Director of Services at Mencap, told The Independent that the man pictured had "limited capacity" to consent, and said the safeguarding of vulnerable users was the charity's first priority.

We have decided to pixelate his face to protect his identity.