© Tom Blewitt – Predator Awareness

An Edinburgh social worker has managed to keep his job after assaulting a five-year-old child. The incident took place on 26 April 2023, at a City of Edinburgh Council facility involving Early Years Officer Colm Kavanagh, whose conduct toward a five-year-old child led to a formal investigation and disciplinary action by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

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📌 Findings of Fact

During his employment, Kavanagh:

– Grabbed the child (referred to as AA) by the wrist
– Forcefully pressed his thumb into AA’s wrist
– These actions resulted in visible bruising, prompting concerns about physical harm and professional misconduct.

The SSSC concluded that Kavanagh’s fitness to practise was impaired, citing that his behaviour:
– Put a child at unnecessary risk of harm
– Failed to uphold dignity and respect
– Fell short of the standards expected of a nursery practitioner

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⚖️ Breach of Professional Standards

Kavanagh’s actions violated multiple sections of the SSSC Code of Practice for Social Service Workers (2016), including:
– 2.2 & 2.4: Failing to manage and report workplace challenges appropriately
– 3.3 & 3.10: Not maintaining professional development and standards
– 5.1, 5.7, 5.8: Undermining public trust and failing to cooperate with safeguarding procedures
– 6.1: Damaging confidence in the social services profession

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🧭 Assessment of Risk and Sanction

The SSSC acknowledged several aggravating factors:
– The incident occurred in a professional setting
– The child was physically injured
– Kavanagh abused the trust placed in him by the child, family, and employer

However, mitigating factors were also considered:
– He showed meaningful insight, remorse, and cooperation throughout the investigation

As a result, the SSSC imposed a 30-month warning on his registration, emphasizing the need to uphold public confidence and professional standards.

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🗣️ Colm Kavanagh’s response

Predator Awareness contacted Colm Kavanagh for comment, but he refused stating he ‘wasn’t in anyway intersted in speaking with us’

Note: Their are no images available of Colm Kavanagh available online.