An Ayrshire-based childcare support assistant carried an autistic child upside down while walking down a flight of stairs.
Stephanie Bickerton grabbed another child who lives with autism – and is non-verbal – by the wrist and pulled him towards a toilet, causing the child “distress”.
Bickerton was then adjudged to have said: “I am not speaking to him, he is whinging” or words to that effect.
Details of Bickerton’s behaviour are outlined in a notice of decision by the industry regulator, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), who said her fitness to practise was “impaired” due to “misconduct.”
In an extract from their report, the SSSC said the incidents took place between October 2022 and November 2022, when Bickerton was employed by East Ayrshire Council as an early learning and childcare support assistant. Her town of employment is Kilmarnock.
In their notice of decision the SSSC told Bickerton: “Social service workers are expected to meet the relevant standards of practice and work in a lawful, safe and effective way. Social service workers are expected to adhere to relevant health and safety procedures to keep themselves and the people who use the services safe.
“You (Bickerton) carried a distressed child upside-down while walking down a flight of stairs. This placed you and the child at risk of unnecessary harm. You have shown limited insight during the investigation process and the SSSC is not satisfied that the behaviour will not be repeated.”
According to the SSSC, Bickerton denied carrying the child upside-down – despite three eyewitnesses speaking of the incident.
The report continues: “The public would be concerned about the safety of people in your care if the SSSC does not take steps to reaffirm the standards of the profession.”
According to the SSSC Bickerton had a “good history” prior to these incidents, she co-operated with the SSSC investigation and has worked in her role with “no further concerns” since the incidents.
However, Bickerton was deemed to have shown “limited insight and remediation” during the investigation, her behaviour occurred during the course of her employment in the sector and involved “vulnerable children” and her behaviour placed them “at risk of harm.”
The report continues: “Social service workers are entrusted to care for vulnerable adults and children. Some of the people who use the services may display challenging behaviour at times. Social service workers are expected to respond to challenging behaviour in an appropriate and compassionate manner.
“Grabbing and pulling a child by the wrist places them at risk of physical harm. Furthermore, these actions do not show respect and recognition for the child.
“You (Bickerton) have admitted to grabbing the child by the wrist and pulling them. You have shown limited insight into why this is dangerous and how it can cause harm to the child. The SSSC is not satisfied that the behaviour will not be repeated.”
The regulator also said Bickerton’s language on that occasion “fell below” the expected standards from a social services worker and her behaviour “breached the trust” placed in her by her employer, the SSSC and the public.
The report adds: “Your (Bickerton’s) behaviour damaged the reputation and integrity of the profession. A reasonable member of the public, in possession of the circumstances in your case, would expect a finding of impairment to be made to uphold the public trust and mark the unacceptable nature of your conduct.”
A warning was placed on Bickerton’s registration for a period of 12 months with associated conditions attached.
East Ayrshire Council has been contacted for a response.