EDINBURGH NURSERY WORKER DROPPED CHILD AND KICKED THEM IN 'LOSS OF CONTROL'
An Edinburgh nursery worker who dropped a child and kicked them has shown 'significant regret' for his actions.Sean Martin assaulted the child while employed by Pinnochio's Nursery in the capital.
He was convicted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in relation to the incident, which happened on May 29, 2024.
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) said he shouted at a child, picked them up by the wrists, dropped them to the ground, kicked them and pushed them.
In a separate incident in April 2023, the SSSC also detailed an incident that happened while Sean was employed at St Margaret's Nursery and Preschool.
Sean allegedly grabbed a four-year-old boy by the wrists and forcefully pulled him.
The boy then fell to the floor, and Sean allegedly 'failed to comfort the child or check for injuries'.
The SSSC ruled Sean's fitness to practice was impaired after he put children in 'unnecessary risk'.
They added: "You have been convicted of assaulting a child, AA.
You have also forcefully pulled another child, BB, by their wrists." "Your behaviour had the potential to cause physical harm to both AA and BB.
Your- behaviour caused emotional harm to BB and placed AA at risk of emotional harm." "Your behaviour indicates aggressive losses of self control which is indicative of underlying values concerns.
Your failure to check over BB for injuries also had the potential to cause further harm, as he may have required medical treatment which would not have been administered." "Overall, your actions call into question your suitability to work in social services and are incompatible with professional registration." They stated that Sean was an 'inexperienced practitioner' at the time and was in a 'stressful situation'.
The SSSC added: "You showed significant regret for your actions and showed insight.
Despite the insight shown, you have gone on to assault a child around one year later, at a time when you were a qualified practitioner and in the knowledge that you were being investigated for your behaviour.
This increases the seriousness of your behaviour and indicates that there is a high risk that your behaviour will be repeated." The SSSC concluded: "The interests of people who use services and the public would not be sufficiently protected by any period of suspension.
There is little evidence you acknowledge your failings and the pattern of behaviour and lack of insight suggest the behaviour is likely to be repeated." Sean was struck off the SSSC register as of May 13.
