Elgin childcare worker struck off after panel determines behaviour could be considered "physically abusive"
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AN Elgin childcare worker has been struck off after a panel found her behaviour towards three children under the age of two to be "physically aggressive and forceful".
Georgia Smith's fitness to practise was found to be impaired in a Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) report published last week.
The report outlined incidents in October 2022 while Ms Smith was employed by the Magic Roundabout Childcare Centre in Elgin.
It found evidence that Ms Smith had grabbed the wrist of one child, pulled her to the corner of the room and "forcefully" made her sit down during an incident on October 3.
Two days later she took another child by the shoulders and pushed him backwards.
She then picked him up by his arms and walked around the room.
The report noted that she put him down "roughly" on at least two occasions.
She also pulled him by the leg with the report noting that her actions caused him to fall backwards.
In relation to another child, the report added that she picked them up and sat them down with "some force".
Noting the reasons for finding Ms Smith's fitness to practise to be impaired, the report said: "You have been physically aggressive and forceful with children whose care you were entrusted with.
"By your actions, you have placed those children at risk of physical and emotional harm.
"Your behaviour is serious and falls well below the professional standard expected."
It added: "At its highest, your behaviour could be considered physically abusive and demonstrates a serious contempt for for the safety of children in your care."
The report said that Ms Smith had failed to follow several parts of the SSSC Code of Practice for social service workers.
It added that she admitted wrongdoing but that her "insight was limited".
The report concluded: "The SSSC considers a removal order is the most appropriate sanction as it is both necessary and justified in the public interest and to maintain the continuing trust and confidence in the social service profession and the SSSC as the regulator of the profession."
Helen Marr, Magic Roundabout Childcare Centre manager, said: "The safety and wellbeing of the children is our main priority, and we followed all safeguarding practices and policies in line with child protection."
