Danielle Clelland
Introduction
Danielle Clelland is a Glasgow social worker who was struck off the register of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) after being convicted of a drug dealing offence. The SSSC found her fitness to practise impaired by her conviction on 6 January 2026 at Glasgow and Strathkelvin Sheriff Court, where she was convicted of being involved in the supply of diamorphine — also known as heroin — in breach of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Background Information
Clelland had been registered with the SSSC for over a decade before the case against her. She was under investigation by the SSSC, the social care regulator for Scotland, following her criminal conviction, and the regulator has since published a report setting out its findings.
The Controversy or Incident That Led to Their Cancellation
Criminal conviction plus regulatory strike-off. Clelland was convicted in court of being concerned in the supply of diamorphine and separately struck off by the SSSC. The conviction is a matter of court record; the SSSC noted no service users were harmed.
On 6 January 2026, Clelland was convicted at Glasgow and Strathkelvin Sheriff Court of being involved in the supply of diamorphine, also known as heroin, in a breach of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The SSSC subsequently found that her fitness to practise was impaired by reason of the conviction.
The SSSC found that Clelland’s actions were not “easily remediable”. Its report stated: “The behaviour represents a significant departure from the Codes of Practice that workers are expected to adhere to.” It continued: “A conviction for being concerned in the supply of diamorphine, which is heroin, is behaviour that does not align with being part of a caring and responsible profession. It is intentional behaviour that is inherently wrong and potentially harmful.”
The report added: “Although no service users were harmed, the supply of this drug carries a high risk of harm to those who receive it.”
Public Reaction and Consequences
The SSSC highlighted Clelland’s lack of cooperation, which it said gave no reassurances that her actions would not be repeated. The watchdog also pointed to the “intentional criminality” of her actions, which it considered very serious. No broader public or media reaction beyond the regulator’s published report is recorded in the sources.
Current Status
Clelland has been struck off the SSSC register. In deciding the appropriate sanction, the SSSC noted that a warning would not suitably protect service users, and so struck her off the register.
Impact on Their Career/Life
The striking-off ends a registration with the SSSC that had lasted more than a decade. The regulator found that her actions represented a significant departure from the Codes of Practice expected of social care workers, were “intentional behaviour that is inherently wrong and potentially harmful”, and were not easily remediable — a view reinforced by her lack of cooperation with the process.
Sources
- STV News, “Social worker struck off after being convicted for dealing heroin” (Ross Hempseed), 20 September 2026. source