Nursery worker who kicked and dropped child on the ground struck off

A nursery worker who kicked and dropped a child on the ground has been struck off.

Sean Martin assaulted the child, referred to as AA, while employed by Pinnochio’s Nursery in Edinburgh in May 2024.

He was convicted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on November 25, 2025, in relation to the incident.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) heard that Martin 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, while employed at St Margaret’s Nursery and Preschool, Martin grabbed a four-year-old boy by the wrists and forcefully pulled him.

The boy, referred to as BB, fell to the floor, and Martin was found to have “failed to comfort the child or check for injuries”.

The SSSC noted: “You have been convicted of assaulting a child. You have also forcefully pulled another child by their wrists.

“Your behaviour had the potential to cause physical harm to both.

“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.”

The watchdog noted at the time of the incident against BB, Martin was an “inexperienced practitioner” and in a “stressful situation” after the child “attempted to push his glasses off”.

The SSSC said Martin had shown insight and “significant regret” for his actions.

However, the watchdog added: “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 watchdog ruled that his fitness to practice was impaired and he was struck from the register as of May 13.