Kirkintilloch child care worker struck off for 'sending 15-year-old girl pictures of his genitals'

A Kirkintilloch child carer has been struck off for sending a teenage girl pictures of his genitals.

Connor Ferguson was employed as a residential child care worker when the incident happened on or around September 30, 2022.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) said Ferguson forced a 15-year-old into looking at sexual images on social media, sending her multiple pictures – including those of his own genitals.

He was convicted on October 26, 2022, at Paisley Sheriff Court of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.

Ferguson then failed to notify the SSSC of the conviction between October 26, 2022 and June 19 this year.

The watchdog claims Ferguson has shown no insight or remorse for the behaviour, and has struck him off their register.

The SSSC report stated: “Your behaviour falls well below the standards expected of a social service worker and placed a child at a serious risk of emotional and psychological harm.

“Your conviction is fundamentally incompatible with the standards and values expected of a social service worker.”

It added: “Your behaviour directly impacted on the wellbeing of a child. As a social service worker you should not behave inside or outside of work in a way which would bring your suitability to work in social services
into question.

“You should not have communicated with the child in an inappropriate way by sending them sexual photographs of yourself.

“Your communication with the child was not appropriate and falls well below the professional standards expected of you.”

Ferguson has been struck off the SSSC’s register, effective August 18.