CONNOR FERGUSON'S SHOCKING CHILDCARE CRIME IN KIRKINTILLOCH

In August 2023, a disturbing case emerged involving Connor Ferguson, a childcare worker based in Kirkintilloch, who was found guilty of serious misconduct involving a minor. Ferguson, who was registered as a childcare professional in the town, was convicted at Paisley Sheriff Court in October 2022 of multiple offenses related to a 15-year-old girl.

According to court findings, Ferguson coerced the young girl into viewing a sexual image and engaged in inappropriate communication with her. The court detailed that he had used social media platforms to send her explicit photographs of himself, including images of his genitals, and persistently made sexual remarks. These actions were carried out with the intent of either deriving sexual pleasure or humiliating and distressing the girl.

Despite his conviction, Ferguson continued to hold his registration as a childcare worker and failed to inform the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) of his legal issues. The SSSC’s report was unequivocal in condemning his behavior, describing it as 'extremely serious' and a clear violation of the standards expected of social service professionals. The report emphasized that Ferguson’s actions placed the child at significant emotional and psychological risk, and that such conduct was fundamentally incompatible with the responsibilities of a social service worker.

The report further stated, “Your behavior directly impacted on the wellbeing of a child. As a social service worker, you should not behave inside or outside of work in a way which would bring your suitability to work in social services into question. You should not have communicated with the child in an inappropriate way by sending them sexual photographs of yourself. Your communication with the child was not appropriate and falls well below the professional standards expected of you. We have no evidence of any insight or remorse for your behavior or recognition of the consequences your behavior had on the child.”

Additionally, the report highlighted Ferguson’s failure to notify the SSSC of his conviction, which prevented the council from conducting a full risk assessment to ensure the safety of service users. The SSSC noted that dishonesty in such cases is particularly difficult to rectify, and Ferguson’s actions demonstrated a serious breach of trust and professional integrity.

As a result of these findings, Ferguson has been permanently barred from working within the social services sector, effectively ending his career in childcare. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding standards and the severe consequences faced by those who breach the trust placed in them by vulnerable children and their families.