Care home manager ‘forced out of job by council’ for posting pics of happy residents on Facebook
'Violated' carer says her career has been destroyed after breach of social media policy
A CARE home manager has been sacked after posting three photos of residents at a Halloween party on her Facebook page.
Rachel Burns posted snaps and a video of people in her care dancing and singing songs at the get-together last year.
However two months later Surrey County Council booted Ms Burns out of her job saying her behaviour was against the care home's social media policy.
After the uploading photos of the party at Park Hall care home in Reigate, Surrey, Ms Burns posted the comment "you all made it a fab night, proud to be your manager".
Despite the well-meaning Facebook posts, Ms Burn was called into a disciplinary meeting and offered a demotion with a 50 per cent pay cut or dismissal.
Two days later a letter arrived informing her she was suspended due to a disciplinary investigation for alleged "inappropriate use of social media".
Ms Burns, who was a care home manager for 21 years, was also slammed for adding a resident's relative as a friend on Facebook.
She claims she only did this to look at a group called Save Park Hall after the council tried to shut the building down.
The 50-year-old said: "I was remorseful and didn't mean anything malicious.
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"I was trying to show the home in a positive light.
"I really do feel violated.
"I'm not saying I'm perfect but I have always abided by the rules.
"I'm friends with other relatives on Facebook and they didn't look at that.
"I'm not perfect but I put my heart and soul into that place.
"I was absolutely devastated.
"They have destroyed my career. No care home is going to take me now with that hanging over me."
Ms Burns says that losing her job has been devastating, especially as her husband, Gary, is awaiting treatment for a persistent brain tumour.
In recent years she has lost her father, mother, brother and now her dream job.
Ms Burns added: "We have never been in such a financial state.
They have completely destroyed us.
"We don't know if we are going to be able to keep the roof over our heads.
"The stress they have put Gary under while he has got a brain tumour could cause him to have a stroke.
"I do miss Park Hall, I loved my job.
"I was always very proud of working for the council."
I was remorseful and didn't mean anything malicious. I was trying to show the home in a positive light. I really do feel violated.
Former Park Hall care home manager Rachel Burns
Since Rachel left Park Hall, several family members of residents have come forward in her defence.
Claire and Graham Pooley are relatives of the two residents pictured in Rachel's Facebook post.
The pair say Surrey County Council did not contact them about the matter until earlier this week.
Graham said: "If this is the way they have treated Rachel then based on this we are seriously concerned about the welfare of our relative and the other residents.
"Friday night music evenings were a highlight of his week, and he always wanted to take full part in the events, including having as many videos and photos taken of him participating in the singing.
He added: "I can say with certainty that he would have no concerns if a photograph of him participating in the music evening was posted on Facebook. He loves pictures of himself and always wants to share them.
"No embarrassment to him or his family, or any other problems, have been created by this Facebook posting, and we and the rest of the family have absolutely no concerns that this has taken place."
Surrey County Council won't comment on the disciplinary breach, but said: "Alternative employment was offered but it is up to the staff member to decide whether to accept or go elsewhere.
"We wish Ms Burns all the best for the future."
A Facebook page in support called Help Rachel Get Her Job Back has been set up as a show of support for the former care home boss.