Aberdeen private nursery staff reported to fiscal

TWO female members of staff are to be reported to the Procurator Fiscal following a Police investigation at a nursery at a private school in Aberdeen.

The Hamilton School. Picture: Google Maps

Police Scotland was brought in to launch an investigation into unspecified allegations regarding the Hamilton School in the city after both the Care Inspectorate and Aberdeen City Council began looking into concerns raised over care at the independent school in the city’s West End.

The school, founded in 1975, is Scotland’s only privately owned independent day school and is located on Queen’s Road.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said today: “Police Scotland can confirm that as a result of enquires at the Hamilton School in Aberdeen, a 65 year-old female and a 25 year-old female will be the subject of a report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. As proceedings are now live, there will be no further comment. “

A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said: “Police Scotland has informed the Care Inspectorate that two staff will be the subject of a report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service following an investigation at the Hamilton School Nursery in Aberdeen.

“The Care Inspectorate has worked closely with Police Scotland since referring complaints about the nursery to the police in January. All the children who attend the Hamilton School nursery must receive safe, appropriate care and inspectors are working closely with partner agencies to monitor the care provided.

“Following the police action, the Care Inspectorate has taken steps to safeguard children at the nursery. We have informed the provider, the Hamilton School (Aberdeen) Ltd, that staff members who are the subject of a police report must not have contact with the nursery or be involved in running it, so we require the school to appoint a suitably-qualified, skilled and experienced manager immediately to be in day-to-day charge of the nursery. The Care Inspectorate will exercise its enforcement powers under the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act if necessary. “

The spokeswoman said: “As Scotland’s care regulator, our top concern is the safety and well-being of children and we know that this will be a difficult and distressing time for families.

“We are working closely with the police and others to safeguard children at the nursery. We have informed the provider that staff who are the subject of a police report must not have contact with the nursery at this time, so immediately require them to appoint a suitably-qualified, manager.

“Today, we will offer support and advice to the school to keep disruption to a minimum. Tomorrow, we will start a joint inspection with Education Scotland, which will include assessing the care and learning provided to the children.

“Separately, we continue to investigate a number of complaints about the quality of care. Anyone with concerns can contact our helpline on 0845 600 9527.”