A CARE home worker faces a ban from the profession after she admitted ill-treating a vulnerable resident she was meant to be looking after.

Aurora Petre could be added to a list of people considered unsuitable for work in the field by the recently-formed Independent Barring Board.

Petre, 34, was due to go on trial yesterday charged with ill-treating or wilfully neglecting four female residents who lacked mental capacity.

The alleged offences, contrary to Section 44 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, related to four residents at Billingham Grange, in March 2008.

The home, in High Grange Avenue, Billingham, near Stockton, provides support in a hospital environment for people with mental health needs.

Petre had previously denied all four charges, but yesterday pleaded guilty to one which concerned a 58-year-old mentally unstable resident.

She was told she will be sentenced some time next month after background reports have been prepared by officials from the Probation Service.

The judge, Recorder Martin Bethel, told her: “You have been very sensible to plead guilty to one of these charges today.

“Your name will be advanced to the Independent Barring Board as a result of this conviction and that will mean that, subject to the board’s procedures, you may be included on a list of persons barred from working with vulnerable adults.

“I have to tell you this – that because I am asking for a report from the Probation Service and because I am granting you bail, I am not making you any promises as to what the sentence will be when you come back to court.

“This was, of course, a serious offence and all sentencing options will be open to the judge who deals with you.”

Petre, who is originally from Romania but now lives in Corby, in Northamptonshire, had a Romanian translator for yesterday’s proceedings.

Billingham Grange is one of a few independent hospital services in the region catering for people with young onset dementia and challenging behaviour.

The home is registered with the Health Care Commission and patients are admitted under the 1983 Mental Health Act.

The woman Petre has admitted mistreating – pushing, roughly handling and swearing at her – had been placed at the home under the Mental Health Act.

Kitty Taylor, prosecuting, told the court that the pleas were accepted after full and careful consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act, which came into force last year, Petre could be barred from working with such people.