Glasgow City Council, the organisation that operated the former Kerelaw Residential School and Secure Unit, has admitted that it passed staff members' names to the Scottish Executive “under the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act.”

Glasgow's actions, which essentially casts a shadow of suspicion over everyone who ever worked at Kerelaw, came to light after North Ayrshire Council offered positions to nine care workers who had previously been employed at the Stevenston facility, but then put the jobs on hold before any of the nine had actually started.

Weeks later, and despite no complaints ever having been made against them in their previous employment, individuals were then contacted by NAC and were informed that their job offers were being withdrawn. It is understood that all of the people involved had received satisfactory references and had successfully passed the Enhanced Disclosure system operated by Disclosure Scotland. However, they were subsequently advised that North Ayrshire Council's decision to withdraw the job offers was based on 'further information received from Glasgow City Council.'

Neither North Ayrshire Council nor Glasgow City Council has been prepared to indicate the nature of the information which led to the job offers being withdrawn.

Now, having resigned from full-time positions with other employers in order to take up the jobs offered by North Ayrshire Council - but then withdrawn - the experienced care workers find themselves unemployed, through no fault of their own, and without an explanation.

Speaking to the the3towns.com, one of the local care workers said, “I worked at Kerelaw for fourteen years, and during that time I was supported professionally, and provided with ample training to further my career. I am now confused and saddened that details are being written, or suggested about me, that tarnished my reputation, preventing me continuing with my career, and have made me unemployed.

“It appears that I may have been tarnished by some form of guilt by association, which stands to ruin my career, reputation, personal life, and health with the worry of it all.”

Meanwhile, the Kerelaw Support Group - established after allegations of abuse were made against former employees - continues to fight for justice for ex-staff members of the residential school and secure unit, and calls for a public enquiry into how the facility was administered and operated by Glasgow City Council.