Child care worker carpeted after criminal conviction

A residential child care worker has been sanctioned by the industry regulator after being convicted of criminal offences at Ayr Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court.

Leanne Rowan, of Prestwick, was convicted of acting in a threatening or abusive manner, which was likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear and alarm.

Rowan made abusive comments, acted in an aggressive manner and threw a box that hit her victim on the head.

It occurred in November 2018. And in a separate incident she was convicted back in September last year of acting in a similarly threatening or abusive manner, assaulting and recklessly damaging property.

As a result the Scottish Social Services Council ( SSSC) held a Fitness to Practise hearing into Rowan’s behaviour and published their findings last week.

In their written report the SSSC said Rowan’s behaviour represented a “disregard” for the law and a “violent and aggressive loss of self- control.”

The SSSC report states: “Social service workers are required to uphold the law and should behave in a way, inside and outside of the workplace, which does not call into question their fitness to practise.

“The behaviour under consideration represents a disregard for the law and a violent and aggressive loss of selfcontrol. In committing an assault your ( Rowan’s) actions placed the victim at risk of physical and emotional harm.”

Rowan’s behaviour was also criticised for ‘ harming’ the reputation of the industry and said there was “public interest” in ensuring trust and confidence in the industry.

The SSSC said: “The behaviour exhibited damages the reputation of the profession. There is a public interest in maintaining trust and confidence in the register and upholding proper standards of behaviour in the profession.”

The regulator decided to hand Rowan a warning, which will be kept on her record for the next two years and came into effect last week.

They did find some factors in Rowan’s favour. Their statement read: “You accept responsibility for your actions and demonstrate insight and remorse in respect of your behaviour and describe alternative action which you could have taken. You have provided two references which speak highly of your practice. Both referees appear to be aware ofthe behaviour under consideration.”

Rowan was credited for her full compliance with the requirements of the SSSC investigation.