KIMBERLEY HAMILTON FROM KIRKCALDY BANNED AFTER CHILD ATTACK

A support worker from Kirkcaldy, Kimberley Hamilton, has been permanently disqualified from working within the social care sector following a violent incident involving a young child. The incident took place during the summer of 2020, when Hamilton, who was employed in a caregiving role, physically assaulted a toddler by biting him on the arm. The court proceedings revealed that her aggressive act was in response to the child biting her first, leading her to retaliate in a manner that was both unprofessional and dangerous.

In June 2022, Hamilton was convicted of assault at Dunfermline Sheriff Court. As part of her sentence, she was ordered to complete 75 hours of unpaid community service. Despite this conviction, Hamilton did not inform the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), the regulatory body overseeing social care professionals, about her legal trouble. The SSSC only became aware of her conviction through information provided by a third party, prompting an investigation into her fitness to practice.

Following the inquiry, the SSSC concluded that Hamilton’s conduct was severely inappropriate and that her fitness to work in social services was impaired. A detailed report issued by the regulator described her actions as both violent and deliberate. It emphasized that such behavior is fundamentally incompatible with the standards expected of a professional in the social care sector. The report further warned that if Hamilton were to repeat such conduct, it could pose a serious risk of harm to vulnerable individuals.

Although the incident did not occur while Hamilton was actively working with vulnerable clients, the SSSC highlighted the seriousness of her actions and her lack of insight or remorse. The regulator noted that Hamilton had failed to show any regret or offer an apology for her behavior. Given the severity of her actions and her failure to acknowledge them, the SSSC determined that a warning or suspension would be insufficient to protect the public and uphold trust in the profession.

Consequently, the SSSC decided that the most appropriate course of action was to remove Hamilton from the register entirely. The regulator stated that this decision was necessary to maintain public confidence in social services and to ensure that only those who meet the high standards of conduct remain in the profession. The case underscores the importance of accountability and the need for strict oversight to prevent harm within the social care sector.