MARISSA BIRCH SHOCKS KILWINNING WITH CHILD ABUSE AND PUBLIC OUTBURST

In a disturbing series of events that have shocked the community of Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Marissa Birch, a nursery worker employed at Little Deers Nursery, has been implicated in a serious incident involving a young child. The incident, which took place in January 2014, involved Birch physically assaulting a six-year-old girl, identified only as AA in official reports. According to findings, Birch repeatedly struck the child on the arm and leg, actions that have raised grave concerns about her conduct and the safety of children under her care.

It was only months later that authorities discovered Birch was heavily intoxicated and unable to properly care for the girl, raising questions about her suitability to work with vulnerable children. The severity of her misconduct prompted an investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council, which subsequently took disciplinary action against her. The council found that Birch’s behavior extended beyond the nursery environment, revealing a troubling pattern of misconduct over several years.

In addition to the assault on the child, Birch was convicted of shouting, swearing, and making racially aggravated remarks at a Bargain B’s off-licence located in Stevenston, North Ayrshire, in May 2015. The watchdog also documented that Birch had previously engaged in disruptive behavior, including battering on a door and breaching the peace in September 2014, which led to a criminal conviction. Further, it was revealed that Birch had failed to disclose these convictions to her employer or the regulatory body, breaching professional standards and raising concerns about her transparency.

The incident involving the young girl was brought to the attention of authorities when AA’s head teacher was alerted to the injuries sustained by the child. This prompted a child protection referral, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The Scottish Social Services Council described the misconduct as “serious” and “wholly unacceptable,” emphasizing that Birch’s actions represented a breach of trust and demonstrated a pattern of inappropriate behavior over several years. The council expressed concern about the potential risk of harm if such behavior were to recur, citing Birch’s “chaotic lifestyle” as a contributing factor.

Despite some mitigating circumstances, including her lack of prior disciplinary record with the council and her cooperation during investigations, the council concluded that the only appropriate course of action was to remove Birch from her position. They stated that this measure was necessary to protect service users, the public, and the reputation of the social services profession. The decision underscored the gravity of her misconduct, which involved a deliberate abuse of trust placed in her by the young girl and the community of Kilwinning. The council also noted that Birch had shown some remorse and insight into her actions, but ultimately determined that her behavior posed an ongoing risk, warranting her removal from the profession.