South Queensferry daycare worker who physically assaulted vulnerable child struck off

A South Queensferry daycare worker has been struck off after she was convicted of assaulting a vulnerable child.

Malgorzata Szuscik was employed as an early years practitioner at Queensferry Early Years Centre in 2021, when the incident occurred.

On October 6 of that year, Szuscik injured a vulnerable child by lifting her up by her arms and forcefully sitting her down, leaving her with a significant bruise on her arm.

On February 8, 2023, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, she was convicted of assaulting the named child.

As a result, a hearing of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) found her fitness to practise was impaired.

The watchdog said that, aside from causing the child serious physical harm, she had also “placed her at serious risk of emotional harm”.

It added: “Your behaviour amounts to a fundamental failure to follow the values set out in the SSSC Codes of Practise and is fundamentally incompatible with professional registration.”

The SSSC also stated that, while Szuscik had shown regret and remorse, there was a risk that this could happen again.

It told her: “This was a momentary violent loss of self-control and therefore we cannot be assured that there is no risk of repetition.

“There is high public interest in this case. You have been convicted of a serious criminal offence. Your behaviour has the potential to damage the reputation of the profession.

“A fully informed member of the public would expect the SSSC to take action to mark the wholly unacceptable nature of your behaviour and subsequent conviction.”

Due to these factors, Szuscik was struck off from the SSSC register effective July 28.