2025-05-29T14:36:35Z

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A support worker in Scotland has been removed from her position after being found guilty of sending inappropriate messages to minors on Snapchat and attempting to purchase a vape for a 12-year-old girl. Gillian Sorbie, once employed as a pupil support officer with Fife Council at a primary school in Glenrothes, has faced serious repercussions for her misconduct. The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) took decisive action against her following a series of alarming revelations about her behavior.

Sorbie's troubling actions came to light during her employment both as a support officer and while registered as a support worker at a children’s day care service. Between March 7 and March 9, 2023, she engaged in a string of Snapchat conversations with a 12-year-old girl, many of which were fraught with abusive and threatening language. Examples of her messages included phrases like "love you too, s**gbag," and "just you wait till tomorrow, stupid fat wh**e," demonstrating a troubling lack of professionalism and care.

Further compounding her misconduct, between September 1 and October 2, 2023, Sorbie messaged another 12-year-old girl, offering to buy her a vape. In a concerning display of disregard for the well-being of minors, she inquired about the girl’s preferences, asking, "Any particular type or flavour you want?" In addition, she extended the offer to the girl’s friends, even sending a picture of the vapes with a caption advertising their prices, suggesting that they were “amazing value.” Sorbie’s approach was not only inappropriate but also calculated, as she advised the girl to ensure that the purchase remained secretive, stating: "Got to be kept quiet, though. I can’t have folk (people) knowing I’m selling vapes to 11-year-olds lol." This kind of behavior blatantly disregards the trust placed in her role as a support worker.

Ultimately, Sorbie faced the consequences of her actions when she was convicted at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court for selling a nicotine vape to a 12-year-old. Following the court’s ruling, the SSSC deemed her fitness to practice as impaired. This month, they issued a removal order that officially struck her name from the children and young people's workforce register, effectively barring her from future work in the sector.

The SSSC provided a thorough account of Sorbie's misconduct, highlighting the abusive nature of her communications and the extent to which she abused the trust given to her by both her employer and the parents of the children under her care. They emphasized that her actions not only risked the emotional and mental health of the two girls involved but also posed a significant risk of causing them physical harm through potential nicotine addiction.

During the investigation, the watchdog noted that Sorbie attempted to delete messages after a parent of one of the children sought to preserve evidence of her wrongdoing. Furthermore, they indicated that Sorbie showed a lack of accountability, offering no insight or apology regarding her behavior, and her engagement with the investigation was described as limited. The SSSC concluded that there were no mitigating factors in her favor, leading to the determination that a removal order was the most appropriate sanction to uphold trust and confidence in the social service profession.

The removal order became effective on Saturday, and Fife Council confirmed that Sorbie is no longer employed by the local authority. In a statement regarding the incident, Sharon McKenzie, head of HR at Fife Council, remarked, "As a responsible employer, we don’t discuss the individual circumstances of any current or former employees." This statement reflects the serious nature of the allegations and the council's commitment to safeguarding the welfare of children under their care.