Former Moray nursery worker is struck off

Former nursery worker is struck off.
Former nursery worker is struck off.

A FORMER MORAY NURSERY employee has been struck off after appearing before a Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) disciplinary committee.

Burghead woman Jenna Paterson, 21, had appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court earlier this year when she admitted acting with “reckless disregard” that left a child in her care suffering from bruises.

Paterson faced charges after an incident relating to her babysitting for a couple she had met during her employment at the RAF Lossiemouth Childcare Centre – she left the employ of the centre shortly after the incident.

When her case came before the SSSC they concluded that Paterson had committed a “serious breach of trust” and appeared to have shown no real insight into her behaviour.

The SSSC considered Ms Paterson’s case last week when she faced a charge that she assaulted the baby in her charge “…and did apply pressure to her arms, forcefully turn her over and grab her right leg and pull her on her back to her injury”.

In their findings the Council told Ms Paterson that “Assaulting a baby whilst changing its nappy is an abuse of the trust placed in you by the child’s parents. Given your behaviour demonstrates a loss of self-control whilst carrying out a task required of a care worker, albeit outwith work, and the lack of insight into its implications the risk of repetition is high.

“Assaulting an eight month old baby would demonstrate a serious disregard for the Code of Practice.”

The Council took into consideration that Ms Paterson had “shown remorse”, the misconduct had taken place away from her place of work and was considered an isolated incident.

However, they concluded: “A warning is not appropriate as it would not adequately address the misconduct. The misconduct is extremely serious and as such a warning would offer no protection to service users or the public.

“A condition would be inappropriate because there are no conditions which could be imposed on you which would address the nature of the misconduct. The type of behaviour at issue is not the type of behaviour which conditions would rectify. You are not currently working in the sector and as such a condition would not be workable or enforceable.

“There is no evidence to suggest that you would comply with any condition imposed by the Council.

“Accordingly the Council considers that a Removal Order is the most appropriate sanction being both necessary and justified in the public interest and to ensure the continuing trust and confidence in the social service profession, in the Council as regulator and in the integrity of the statutory Register.”