Child care worker struck off after conviction in indecent pictures case

Boardsaidherbehaviourwasongoingrisktoyoungsters The SSSC is concerned that you may be unfit to be a member of a caring profession

A support worker who was employed at a children’s day care service has been struck off by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) after offences involving children.

Fiona MacLeod, who worked in Livingston, was convicted of offences at Stirling Sheriff Court in May 2022 that included taking or permitting to take indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children.

The charges took place between December 2, 2008 and December 5, 2008.

The removal notice came into effect on 23 April 2023.

MacLeod denied any wrongdoing, despite her criminal conviction for a serious offence, and showed a lack of insight into the offence.

Due to the serious nature of the behaviour, the SSSC said it felt that there is an ongoing risk to vulnerable children who use services.

The SSSC wrote in their decision: “Social service workers are expected to obey the law and to uphold public trust and confidence in social services.

“Social service workers must not put themselves or other people at risk or behave, while in or outside work, in a way which would bring their suitability to work in social services into question.

“You have been convicted of taking indecent images of children or permitting such images to be taken. The behaviour breaches public trust, undermines confidence in the profession and is fundamentally incompatible with registration.”

They added: “You deny any wrongdoing despite your criminal conviction for a serious offence.

“Due to the lack of insight shown into the offence, the apparent underlying issue with values and the serious nature of the behaviour, the SSSC considers that there is an ongoing risk to vulnerable children who use services.”

The decision went on: “A reasonable member of the public, in possession of all of the facts and circumstances of the case, would have very serious concerns about the behaviour and would consider the reputation of the profession to be damaged by your registration with the SSSC.

“The SSSC is concerned that you may be unfit to be a member of a caring and responsible profession due to your underlying values and attitudes.”

After referring to Decisions Guidance, the SSSC decided to impose a Removal Order, removing MacLeod’s registration from the SSSC Register.

Reasons for the decision included, that the worker did not show any insight or regret as she denied the allegation, her behaviour would have had serious consequences for the safety and wellbeing of the children involved in the offence and the behaviour involved the abuse of children and was an abuse of trust.