Articles by Paul Behan

Entertainment

Social care worker sanctioned for "aggressive, degrading and patronising" behaviour towards colleagues

An Ayrshire social care worker has been sanctioned by the industry regulator for “shouting” at and “insulting” his colleagues. A warning was placed on Ronnie Lowe’s registration for a period of 12 months and a series of conditions imposed on his continuing registration. Industry regulator, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), said Lowe’s behaviour fell short of the professional standards that social service workers must adhere to. According to their notice of decision, the SSSC said Lowe’s behaviour unfolded on or around 1 February 2024, while employed as a support worker by East Ayrshire Council. Lowe’s town of employment was revealed as Kilmarnock. According to the SSSC, while attending a review meeting for a young person, known only as ‘AA,’ Lowe ‘raised his voice’ at colleague ‘ZZ’ for a “sustained period of time.” Lowe then called her a “silly little girl,” or words to that effect. The council employee was also adjudged to have said to AA’s mother and stepfather that, “I feel sorry for you, because the Council are against you and don’t want you to succeed”, or words to that effect. The regulator also found that Lowe had said: “The Council have no respect for families and ZZ had never worked with AA’s family before," or words to that effect. And in another outburst Lowe was deemed to have said to colleague ‘YY,’ “Are you telling me how I should speak?”, or words to that effect. An allegation of causing ‘ZZ’ “emotional distress” due to his actions was also found proved. The notice of decision also reveals that, after the review meeting for ‘AA’ had concluded, Lowe said to colleague ‘XX’: that ‘ZZ’ was a “snowflake”, or words to that effect. In addition, Lowe said: “You better record that ‘ZZ’ had dictated to AA’s family what to do with their money and had started an argument with them”, or words to that effect. However, when colleague ‘XX’ refused his instruction, Lowe said: “I will tell AA’s mother and stepfather not to sign the minutes of the meeting and get them to say you are a liar,” or words to that effect. As a result, another charge of causing “emotional distress” to a colleague was found proved and Lowe’s fitness to practise was deemed “impaired” due to "misconduct." In their notice of decision the SSSC told Lowe: “Social service workers must communicate in an appropriate, open and accurate way. They must not abuse or harm people who use services or their colleagues. By shouting and insulting your colleague, you (Lowe) have fallen short of the professional standards that social service workers must adhere to. Your actions resulted in emotional harm to your colleagues.” The report continues: “Your (Lowe’s) behaviour towards your colleagues occurred during a review meeting for a supported individual, in the presence of his parents. It caused emotional harm to your colleagues and put the supported individual’s parents at risk of emotional harm. You also continued to behave in an antagonistic way towards XX after the meeting. “Your actions give rise to values and attitudinal concerns, given that you were aggressive, degrading and patronising towards your colleagues, during a meeting that was intended to review the needs of a supported individual.” Lowe, it was revealed, had “engaged” with the SSSC’s investigation and provided his comments. However, the report states: “You (Lowe) have failed to show any insight, remorse or apology, and have not taken any active steps to remedy your behaviour. If the behaviour were to be repeated, it would put colleagues at risk of emotional harm.” In imposing a 12-month warning on Lowe’s registration the SSSC added: “A finding of impairment is necessary to mark the unacceptable nature of your conduct and to maintain public confidence in the integrity of the register and the SSSC as a regulator.” East Ayrshire Council issued a statement which read: “While we are unable to comment on individual cases, we can confirm that as a result of the concerns raised, action has been taken to ensure that our high standards of practice when supporting people are upheld.”

Business

Landmark deal could help bring hundreds of Red Arrows assembly jobs to Ayrshire

Plans to bring hundreds of aviation assembly jobs to Ayrshire have taken a step closer with a recognition agreement between two key players. The GMB Union has signed a landmark deal with Aeralis – the company set to build the next generation of Red Arrows – to create 4,000 aerospace jobs. Ayrshire Live previously told how Prestwick Airport was the “ number one choice " to host the final assembly line for the potential replacement of the Hawk fighter jet, which is used by the Red Arrows. Aeralis, one of the companies vying to replace the Hawk - which will be phased out of service by 2030 - previously chose Prestwick Airport out of 67 potential sites. More than 200 jobs could be coming to the airport to assemble the new military jets- if Aeralis get the go-ahead from the UK Government. If successful, different parts of the jets will be built across multiple sites in England before coming to Prestwick for final assembly. The agreement was signed last week by Aeralis chairman Robin Southwell and Gary Smith, General Secretary of the GMB. It means the company is “committed” to establishing a major industrial hub in Ayrshire, with plans to create more than 4,000 highly skilled jobs nationwide. In Scotland, the programme is set to generate £600 million in annual exports, among top three in the country. Aerlis is the front runner in the race to create the next generation of Red Arrows and is the only bidder offering a British designed and built aircraft. Gary Smith, General Secretary of the GMB Union, said: “Selecting Aeralis would represent a major moment for Scotland’s industrial future, bringing back complete aircraft production to Scotland for the first time in 25 years. “GMB is committed to ensuring that workers in Ayrshire and beyond are at the heart of this exciting new chapter for UK aerospace.” Robin Southwell, Chairman of Aeralis, said: “The choice faced by the Government is clear; select a British designed and built aircraft offering long-term careers, skills development, and opportunities for future generations here in the UK, or to use public funds to import from abroad. “This agreement between Aeralis and the GMB reflects our shared commitment to building a sustainable, high-value aerospace industry in Scotland. “Overnight we will create, in partnership with GMB, one of the top three industrial enterprises in the region and by working closely together, we can ensure that the jobs we create will provide apprenticeships, well paid careers and new opportunities right here at home.” Dr Willie Mackie, interim chairman of Prestwick Airport, previously said: “This is a really exciting announcement that Prestwick has been selected out of 67 potential locations to locate this final assembly for what will be the replacement for the Red Arrows. “That will bring further jobs in terms of the aerospace sector to build on what’s already a really core strength of the airport and surrounding businesses.”