Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Sian Traynor

West Lothian children's nursery worker kept assault charge hidden from bosses

A West Lothian nursery worker has been warned after failing to tell staff about her assault charge.

Zaneta Kozlowska was given the sanction by the the Scottish Social Services Council this week after she was found to have hidden the assault from her employers in 2020.

An investigation into Ms Kozlowska’s actions had found that she had been working as a supply nurse for West Lothian council at the time, and had failed to report her charge of assault to injury.

Charged at some time between September 2019 and January 2020, Ms Kozlowska was convicted of the offence on July 15, 2021, after appearing at the Livingston Sheriff Court.

READ MORE - Edinburgh bypass: Fire crews race to A720 as lorry bursts into flames

Looking into the issue, the SSSC said Ms Kozlowska had shown unacceptable behaviour, as well as a “lack of insight.”

Reflecting on the nature of her job, a report stated: “Social service workers must not behave in way in or out of work which would bring their suitability to work in social services into question and must not put themselves or other people at unnecessary risk.

“A conviction of assault to injury is serious and your actions caused actual physical harm to an individual. This type of behaviour falls below the standards expected of members of a caring profession. Your lack of insight suggests that there is a risk of repetition.”

Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

Although failing to cooperate with the SSSC in their investigation, officials took into consideration that the assault occurred outwith work, and that it had been an “isolated” incident.

However, they also explained the “public would be concerned” if they did not take action against her behaviour.

A report added: "A finding of current impairment is therefore necessary to uphold public confidence in the profession and the SSSC as an effective regulator. “

A 12-month warning has now been imposed from April 1, 2022.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.