A Glasgow care home worker who was caught with pornographic images of children has been struck off the register.

John Colgan admitted accessing the disturbing images on “more than one occasion”.
Social work watchdogs said the risk to the public was “substantial” because of Colgan’s potential access to children in the care setting.

An inquiry found the care worker had not demonstrated any insight or regret about his actions and had not apologised.

The hearing papers did not specify which care home Colgan worked for in Glasgow.

He was found guilty of two charges related to the downloading of indecent images of children on July 5, last year, and has now been told he cannot work in the care sector, following a hearing of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

A panel of the SSSC said: “Any conviction for child pornography is a matter of serious concern as it breaches public trust and undermines public confidence in the profession and further raises issues of public protection.

“The Panel considered the offence was sufficiently serious that the most severe action needed to be taken, as viewing or holding such material involves exploitation of children.”

In a separate case, an Irvine-based female support worker was hit with a warning after being caught drink driving.

An inquiry found a member of the public reported Arlene Ferguson to police after becoming concerned about her behaviour.

The support worker was convicted of drink driving charges at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on August 3, 2018 and has now been given a warning by social work watchdogs, which will remain on her registration for six months.

The SSSC said: “The public would be concerned by an individual, not least a social service worker, who, after having consumed alcohol, deliberately chose to drive.

“Your ability to drive and control your vehicle and impaired reaction times presented an extremely seriousness risk to others.”