Children's worker struck off after attacking vulnerable girl in his care

A children's worker in East Dunbartonshire has been struck off after assaulting a vulnerable girl who was in his care.

Robert O'Donnell was convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court last July of pushing the girl, seizing her and throwing her to the ground, causing her to be injured.

He was also found to have behaved in a threatening and abusive manner by shouting, swearing and threatening her with violence during the incident, which took place on 18 October 2023.

The Scottish Social Services Council has now ruled O'Donnell's actions were "fundamentally incompatible" with continuing as a children's worker.

The regulator said the girl was placed at risk of both emotional and physical harm by his actions, and that he had breached the trust placed in him to care for vulnerable individuals.

It also found that O'Donnell - who was a supervisor at his work - did not accept he had assaulted the girl and had not provided any comments to the SSSC.

This meant he shown no signs of any insight or remorse into his behaviour.

It wrote: "Behaviour of this nature is abusive and harmful and raises significant concerns about your underlying values and is fundamentally incompatible with continued professional registration."

The report into O'Donnell stated that although 18 October was an isolated incident, the behaviour of the girl was not out of the ordinary, and O'Donnell could therefore face similar situations again in the future.

It added: "Failure to take action in this case would undermine public confidence and trust in the wider profession. It would also undermine the integrity of the SSSC's register.

"A firm declaration is required in this case to reaffirm expected professional standards."

The notice came into effect from 4 July this year.