Johnstone carer dismissed for assaulting child that threatened him with DIY weapon

A carer has been warned by a watchdog and dismissed from his job after assaulting a child that threatened him with a DIY weapon and spat on him.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has placed a four-year warning on Paul Young’s registration after he put the boy in a headlock and punched him repeatedly, leaving him injured following the incident in Johnstone on March 27, 2019.

It comes after the vulnerable young person threated Mr Young with a plank of wood that had nails sticking out of it and spat on him so much it left his clothes wet.

The care watchdog took action after he was convicted for assaulting a minor on June 7, 2022, at Paisley Sheriff Court.

The SSSC said the “exceptional circumstances” did not excuse Mr Young’s behaviour and placed a young person at “unnecessary risk”.

They said in their report: “You have been convicted of an assault of a child in your care by placing them in a headlock and repeatedly punching them in the head, to their injury.

“This behaviour amounts to physical abuse and harm of a vulnerable young person who was in your care.

“Your behaviour also placed the young person at unnecessary risk of physical and emotional harm and calls into question your suitability to work in the social services profession.”

Mr Young continued to work for the same employer for a period of three years following the incident, until he was dismissed as a result of the conviction.

The SSSC report continued: “On the date in question, there were exceptional circumstances and the incident was particularly heightened.

“You were working with two other staff members who accepted to your employer they had failed to follow the young person’s behavioural support plan.

“This exacerbated the situation and resulted in the young person approaching you with a plank of wood with nails in it.

“The young person was attempting to assault you, spitting at you to the extent your clothes were wet.

“While the circumstances do not excuse your behaviour, it does place it in some context.

“It indicates an exceptionally heightened situation which appears unlikely to happen again.

“There have never been any other concerns with your professional practice or interactions with young people.

“As a result of this, the SSSC has concluded that your behaviour is not necessarily reflective of a core values issue and most likely arose in the context of a very difficult situation you found yourself in at the time.”