Child support worker sent 'sexual' messages to young man's partner

A child support worker has been struck off after sending messages of a “sexual nature” to a young service user’s partner.

Derek Morton from Cumnock, Ayrshire, was employed as a children and young people’s worker when he sent messages to the partner of a “vulnerable” young man he was supporting.

A Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) heard that Morton asked the young person, “I do love sex don’t you?” via Facebook Messenger on May 15, 2016.

He also sent them a message that read: “That Sunday? Lol it made me horny as hell! Lol x”

The service user raised concerns about Morton’s behaviour to his employer.

After this, Morton was found to have contacted the service user on several occasions in an attempt to persuade him to retract his concerns.

The watchdog report found Morton’s actions caused the service user distress.

Morton was also found to have told the service user that he had sex on a night out with another colleague.

Following the report, the SSSC said Morton’s actions caused “significant emotional harm” to the service user and removed him from the register.

“Removal is the most serious sanction, social service workers who abuse the trust placed in them should lose the privilege which comes with Registration as such,” the report said.

“The Panel acknowledged that a Removal Order can have consequences, reputational and otherwise, for a worker.

“The Panel was of the view that such consequences for you are outweighed by the need to protect members
of the public, to serve the wider public interest, to protect the integrity of the regulator and the reputation of the SSSC as a regulator.”

A spokesperson for East Ayrshire Council said: “We do not comment on individual circumstances, but we seek to uphold the highest standards of care and can confirm that the matter was dealt with in line with Council policies and procedures, and Mr Morton is no longer employed by the Council.”