A Glasgow care worker who sexually assaulted two vulnerable women has been banned from working in the industry.
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Brian McFadden has been reprimanded by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) for abusing his position of trust to form inappropriate relationships with the two service users.
The care watchdog branded it serious behaviour “which caused emotional harm to the victims” and was set against the backdrop of a service which “helps women who may have experienced significant trauma during their lives”.
The SSSC said McFadden’s actions appeared to have been “deliberate and intentional”.
McFadden was in June convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court of sexually assaulting the two women.
On various occasions in July 2020, McFadden touched one victim on the bottom, uttered sexual remarks towards her, made sexualised gestures, attended at her room uninvited, kissed her on the mouth, placed his hand under her upper clothing and touched her on the body.
Between December 2020 and February 2021, he touched his second victim’s bottom, uttered sexual remarks towards her, attended at her room uninvited, and stood close to her.
Ruling McFadden’s fitness to practise impaired, the SSSC has this week issued a removal order from the care register which effectively bans him from working in the industry.
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The watchdog said: “Social services workers must not abuse, harm or neglect service users. You have been convicted of criminal offences relating to sexual assault of vulnerable service users.
“Your behaviour for which you have been convicted is extremely serious and falls well below the standards of conduct expected of social services workers.
“Behaviour of this nature suggests underlying values issues which are incompatible with professional registration.”
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The SSSC said McFadden’s behaviour occurred both in and outside of work.
McFadden – who did not engage with the watchdog’s investigation – was also said to have failed to show any insight or understanding into the seriousness of the matter.
The watchdog added: “As such, the SSSC cannot be satisfied that this behaviour will not be repeated in the future.”
In conclusion, the watchdog said a removal order was the “most appropriate sanction” to maintain the “continuing trust and confidence in the social service profession and the SSSC as the regulator of the profession”.
The removal order came into effect on Thursday.
