❓ A parliamentary question addresses allegations of abuse against a 14-year-old girl in care, inquiring about screening, monitoring, reporting timelines, and the worker's status post-allegation. The Minister's response clarifies screening processes, monitoring, reporting timelines, and actions taken after the allegation.
AnsweredQoN 80Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the charges brought against a Midland Department for Community Development residential care worker regarding allegations of abuse against a 14-year-old girl in his care on 16 February, and ask - (1) Had the worker been screened prior to his appointment, and what did that screening process involve? (2) Had the worker been monitored during his time as a residential care worker, and what did that monitoring involve? (3) Had the worker provided references prior to his appointment, and were they checked? (4) Will the minister confirm whether there was a 15-day gap between the day the girl reported the allegation to the DCD and when that information was passed on to the police? (5) Was the residential care worker suspended on the day the allegation was made; and, if not, how long after the allegation had been made was it before he was suspended? (6) Was the girl left in his care at any time after the allegation was made? Hon KATE DOUST
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(1) Had the worker been screened prior to his appointment, and what did that screening process involve? (2) Had the worker been monitored during his time as a residential care worker, and what did that monitoring involve? (3) Had the worker provided references prior to his appointment, and were they checked? (4) Will the minister confirm whether there was a 15-day gap between the day the girl reported the allegation to the DCD and when that information was passed on to the police? (5) Was the residential care worker suspended on the day the allegation was made; and, if not, how long after the allegation had been made was it before he was suspended? (6) Was the girl left in his care at any time after the allegation was made? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(2) Had the worker been monitored during his time as a residential care worker, and what did that monitoring involve? (3) Had the worker provided references prior to his appointment, and were they checked? (4) Will the minister confirm whether there was a 15-day gap between the day the girl reported the allegation to the DCD and when that information was passed on to the police? (5) Was the residential care worker suspended on the day the allegation was made; and, if not, how long after the allegation had been made was it before he was suspended? (6) Was the girl left in his care at any time after the allegation was made? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(3) Had the worker provided references prior to his appointment, and were they checked? (4) Will the minister confirm whether there was a 15-day gap between the day the girl reported the allegation to the DCD and when that information was passed on to the police? (5) Was the residential care worker suspended on the day the allegation was made; and, if not, how long after the allegation had been made was it before he was suspended? (6) Was the girl left in his care at any time after the allegation was made? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(4) Will the minister confirm whether there was a 15-day gap between the day the girl reported the allegation to the DCD and when that information was passed on to the police? (5) Was the residential care worker suspended on the day the allegation was made; and, if not, how long after the allegation had been made was it before he was suspended? (6) Was the girl left in his care at any time after the allegation was made? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(5) Was the residential care worker suspended on the day the allegation was made; and, if not, how long after the allegation had been made was it before he was suspended? (6) Was the girl left in his care at any time after the allegation was made? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(6) Was the girl left in his care at any time after the allegation was made? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(6) No.
(1) Had the worker been screened prior to his appointment, and what did that screening process involve? (2) Had the worker been monitored during his time as a residential care worker, and what did that monitoring involve? (3) Had the worker provided references prior to his appointment, and were they checked? (4) Will the minister confirm whether there was a 15-day gap between the day the girl reported the allegation to the DCD and when that information was passed on to the police? (5) Was the residential care worker suspended on the day the allegation was made; and, if not, how long after the allegation had been made was it before he was suspended? (6) Was the girl left in his care at any time after the allegation was made? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(2) Had the worker been monitored during his time as a residential care worker, and what did that monitoring involve? (3) Had the worker provided references prior to his appointment, and were they checked? (4) Will the minister confirm whether there was a 15-day gap between the day the girl reported the allegation to the DCD and when that information was passed on to the police? (5) Was the residential care worker suspended on the day the allegation was made; and, if not, how long after the allegation had been made was it before he was suspended? (6) Was the girl left in his care at any time after the allegation was made? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(3) Had the worker provided references prior to his appointment, and were they checked? (4) Will the minister confirm whether there was a 15-day gap between the day the girl reported the allegation to the DCD and when that information was passed on to the police? (5) Was the residential care worker suspended on the day the allegation was made; and, if not, how long after the allegation had been made was it before he was suspended? (6) Was the girl left in his care at any time after the allegation was made? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(4) Will the minister confirm whether there was a 15-day gap between the day the girl reported the allegation to the DCD and when that information was passed on to the police? (5) Was the residential care worker suspended on the day the allegation was made; and, if not, how long after the allegation had been made was it before he was suspended? (6) Was the girl left in his care at any time after the allegation was made? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(5) Was the residential care worker suspended on the day the allegation was made; and, if not, how long after the allegation had been made was it before he was suspended? (6) Was the girl left in his care at any time after the allegation was made? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(6) Was the girl left in his care at any time after the allegation was made? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(1) Yes. The person was subjected to a police clearance and departmental checks. (2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(2) Yes. Senior staff provided one-on-one supervision and peer support. (3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(3) Yes. As part of the interviewing processes, references were provided and checked. The person also completed psychological, medical and physical tests before commencing work. (4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(4) No. There was not a 15-day gap. The young person made a specific allegation to a departmental officer at the hostel on Saturday, 28 January 2006. Crisis Care was subsequently contacted and the police were informed of the allegation on Monday, 30 January 2006. (5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(5) The worker was not suspended following the allegation, but was advised that he was being relocated to work in a position that involved no direct contact with children. This action took place on Monday, 30 January 2006 and the person subsequently resigned on 14 February 2006. (6) No.
(6) No.
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