Glasgow support worker who grabbed man by jacket and held him against wall struck off

A support worker who grabbed a supported person by the neck of his jacket, pushed him backwards and held him against a wall has been struck off.

Kevin Smith was employed as a senior support worker at Bob McTaggart House in Glasgow when the incident occurred in January 2025.

The home provides housing support for people who have had a previous history of homelessness and unsettled lifestyles.

Following an investigation carried out by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), it was determined that Smith’s actions demonstrated a “loss of self-control” when faced with a challenging situation.

The watchdog said the incident put the supported person at risk of both physical and emotional harm.

“Your behaviour falls far below the standards expected of social service workers and is serious,” the SSSC told Smith.

“The behaviour occurred at the service, the home of the supported person which is a place he was entitled to feel safe.”

The watchdog stated that Smith had been employed by Talbot Association Limited, Bob McTaggart House’s parent company, for almost 30 years at the time of the incident.

The SSSC said it appeared to have been an isolated incident, but added there were concerns that similar behaviour could be repeated in the future.

“Your actions raise concerns regarding your ability to maintain self-control when faced with a challenging situation,” the SSSC said.

“Such situations are likely to arise on a frequent basis due to the nature of the service and the support needs of the individuals who reside there. If similar behaviour were to be repeated, other vulnerable individuals could be placed at risk of both physical and emotional harm.”

Smith told his employer that he felt his actions were “justified” because he felt threatened by the supported person.

“You advised the SSSC that your behaviour towards [the man] was ill-considered, but have offered no suggestion about what you would do differently in the future, should a similar situation arise,” the watchdog told Smith.

The SSSC removed Smith from the care register and banned him from working in the sector as a result of the incident.