An Ayrshire childcare support assistant has been sanctioned by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) after carrying an autistic child upside down and causing distress to another child who is non-verbal. Stephanie Bickerton was found to have placed children at risk of harm due to her misconduct, as outlined in a notice of decision by the SSSC. The incidents occurred between October 2022 and November 2022 when Bickerton was employed by East Ayrshire Council as an early learning and childcare support assistant in Kilmarnock.
According to the SSSC report, Bickerton was observed carrying a distressed child upside down while walking down a flight of stairs and pulling another child by the wrist towards a toilet, causing distress. The SSSC stated that Bickerton’s fitness to practise was impaired due to her limited insight into the potential harm caused by her actions. Despite Bickerton denying carrying the child upside down, three eyewitnesses corroborated the incident.
The SSSC emphasized that social service workers are expected to meet relevant standards of practice and work in a safe and effective manner, adhering to health and safety procedures to ensure the well-being of those in their care. Bickerton was deemed to have breached these standards by placing vulnerable children at risk of harm through her actions. The regulator noted that her behaviour fell below expected standards and breached the trust placed in her by her employer and the public.
As a consequence of her actions, a warning was placed on Bickerton’s registration for a period of 12 months with associated conditions. Despite having a good history prior to the incidents and cooperating with the investigation, Bickerton was found to have shown limited insight and remediation, raising concerns about the potential for repetition of such behaviour.
East Ayrshire Council has been contacted for a response to the SSSC’s decision regarding Bickerton’s conduct. The SSSC’s findings serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding professional standards in the care of vulnerable individuals and the consequences of failing to do so in the social services sector.