A Johnstone carer sexually abused children for over eight years.

Andrew Ward has been struck off by the Scottish Social Service Council (SSSC) after being convicted at Greenock Sheriff Court on 18 May 2022.

The care watchdog reported that on various occasions between 14 November 1986 and 13 November 1988, Ward indecently assaulted a male.

This included carrying out sexual acts on the victim, touching his genitalia, and pushing him.

The SSSC report also stated that on various occasions between 23 February 1987 and 22 February 1989 Ward used “lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour” towards a male.

According to the watchdog report, Ward repeatedly seized him by the body, restrained him, touched his genitalia, kissed his face and neck, then repeatedly attempted to induce him to handle his own private parts.

The report also revealed that on one occasion, between 29 December 1992 and 28 December 1994, Ward also targeted another male by getting into his bed while naked.

He then kissed him on the neck and ear, told him to be quiet, and acted inappropriately.

The SSSC report stated: “Social service workers are trusted to ensure the welfare and safety of the most vulnerable in society.

“The public have the right to expect that social service workers, in whom they place trust and confidence, will uphold the law and not behave, whether inside or outside work, in a way which would call into question their suitability to work in social services.

“You have been convicted of historical sexual abuse against children.

“Your conduct is extremely serious and constitutes a gross breach of trust.

“Your actions would likely have caused the children fear and alarm and have placed them at risk of physical, emotional and psychological harm.

“Further, your actions represent conduct whichis fundamentally incompatible with the principles of the social services profession and professional registration.

“There are ongoing public protection concerns as the behaviour is of an extreme nature.

“There is no evidence of any remediation from you.

“Conduct of this nature raises serious and fundamental questions about your values and there is a risk that this behaviour may be repeated in the future.

“There is significant public interest in this case.

“It would negatively affect public confidence in the SSSC as a regulator, and the profession as a whole, if the SSSC did not take action to reaffirm the standards expected of registered workers.“

The report added: “While your behaviour occurred outside of work, it is so serious that it would negatively affect the reputation of the social service profession.

“Your actions exposed the children concerned to serious risk of physical, emotional and psychological harm.

“You were older than each of the children concerned and in more than one instance, were a legal adult.

“There was therefore a presumption of trust, and your conduct represents a gross abuse of this. “Your behaviour amounts to a pattern of conduct over a significant period of time.”