❓ Hon. Alison Xamon asks the Department of Education about the number and nature of misconduct allegations made in 2018-19 and 2019-20, including resolution outcomes and sanctions. The Department provides a breakdown of allegation categories and resolution details.
AnsweredQoN 3331Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How
many misconduct allegations were made to the Department of Education in: (a) 2018-19; and (b) 2019-20? (2) For (1)(a): (a) how many of the allegations were about: (i) physical assault; (ii) inappropriate behaviour; (iii) fraud and/or theft; (iv) verbal abuse; and (v) other types of misconduct (please advise what categories are included); (b) how many of the complaints were resolved; and (c) of the complaints resolved: (i) how many resulted in a staff member being sanctioned; (ii) what sanctions were applied; (iii) how many resulted in a policy or procedure change; (iv) how many resulted in no action; and (v) in how many cases did the complainant indicate they were happy with the outcome? (3) For (1)(b): (a) how many of the allegations were about: (i) physical assault; (ii) inappropriate behaviour; (iii) fraud and/or theft; (iv) verbal abuse; and (v) other types of misconduct (please advise what categories are included); (b) how many of the complaints were resolved; and (c) of the complaints resolved: (i) how many resulted in a staff member being sanctioned; (ii) what sanctions were applied; (iii) how many resulted in a policy or procedure change; (iv) how many resulted in no action; and (v) in how many cases did the complainant indicate they were happy with the outcome?
many misconduct allegations were made to the Department of Education in: (a) 2018-19; and (b) 2019-20? (2) For (1)(a): (a) how many of the allegations were about: (i) physical assault; (ii) inappropriate behaviour; (iii) fraud and/or theft; (iv) verbal abuse; and (v) other types of misconduct (please advise what categories are included); (b) how many of the complaints were resolved; and (c) of the complaints resolved: (i) how many resulted in a staff member being sanctioned; (ii) what sanctions were applied; (iii) how many resulted in a policy or procedure change; (iv) how many resulted in no action; and (v) in how many cases did the complainant indicate they were happy with the outcome? (3) For (1)(b): (a) how many of the allegations were about: (i) physical assault; (ii) inappropriate behaviour; (iii) fraud and/or theft; (iv) verbal abuse; and (v) other types of misconduct (please advise what categories are included); (b) how many of the complaints were resolved; and (c) of the complaints resolved: (i) how many resulted in a staff member being sanctioned; (ii) what sanctions were applied; (iii) how many resulted in a policy or procedure change; (iv) how many resulted in no action; and (v) in how many cases did the complainant indicate they were happy with the outcome?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 November 2020
Responded by
Minister for Education and Training
Response time
9 days
Note: One complaint can contain multiple allegations.
(1)(a) 717
(1)(b) 499
(2)(a) Misconduct allegations are categorised by the Department for consistency and reporting. The categories in the table below apply in response to the questions asked.
Number of misconduct allegations received by category in 2018/19
Allegation Category
Number
(i) Physical Contact
180
(ii),(iv) Breach Code of Conduct - Personal Behaviour
328
(iii) Breach of Code of Conduct – Fraudulent and Corrupt Behaviour
42
(v) Other
167
‘Other’ includes policy breach, duty of care, breach lawful order
(2)(b) 506
(2)(c) (i) 266
(ii) Dismissal, fine improvement action, reprimand, ceased discipline process – move to improvement action, or management action/counselling.
(iii)-(v) All complaints were actioned. Policy and procedures are amended as and when appropriate. The Department does not capture whether a complainant is happy with the outcome. Complainants who remain dissatisfied with the outcome have the option to refer their concern to the Ombudsman of Western Australia.
(3)(a)
Number of misconduct allegations received by category in 2019/20
Allegation Category
Number
(i) Physical Contact
103
(ii),(iv) Breach Code of Conduct - Personal Behaviour
274
(iii) Breach Code of Conduct - Fraudulent and Corrupt Behaviour
28
(v) Other
94
‘Other’ includes policy breach, duty of care, breach lawful order
(3)(b) 615. Note that the number of complaints resolved in the reporting period may be higher than the number of complaints received in the reporting period, as complaints received in previous reporting periods may be resolved in the current reporting period.
(3)(c) (i) 261
(ii) Dismissal, fine improvement action, reprimand, ceased discipline process – move to improvement action, or management action/counselling.
(iii)-(v) All complaints were actioned. Policy and procedures are amended as and when appropriate. The Department does not capture whether a complainant is happy with the outcome. Complainants who remain dissatisfied with the outcome have the option to refer their concern to the Ombudsman of Western Australia.
(1)(a) 717
(1)(b) 499
(2)(a) Misconduct allegations are categorised by the Department for consistency and reporting. The categories in the table below apply in response to the questions asked.
Number of misconduct allegations received by category in 2018/19
Allegation Category
Number
(i) Physical Contact
180
(ii),(iv) Breach Code of Conduct - Personal Behaviour
328
(iii) Breach of Code of Conduct – Fraudulent and Corrupt Behaviour
42
(v) Other
167
‘Other’ includes policy breach, duty of care, breach lawful order
(2)(b) 506
(2)(c) (i) 266
(ii) Dismissal, fine improvement action, reprimand, ceased discipline process – move to improvement action, or management action/counselling.
(iii)-(v) All complaints were actioned. Policy and procedures are amended as and when appropriate. The Department does not capture whether a complainant is happy with the outcome. Complainants who remain dissatisfied with the outcome have the option to refer their concern to the Ombudsman of Western Australia.
(3)(a)
Number of misconduct allegations received by category in 2019/20
Allegation Category
Number
(i) Physical Contact
103
(ii),(iv) Breach Code of Conduct - Personal Behaviour
274
(iii) Breach Code of Conduct - Fraudulent and Corrupt Behaviour
28
(v) Other
94
‘Other’ includes policy breach, duty of care, breach lawful order
(3)(b) 615. Note that the number of complaints resolved in the reporting period may be higher than the number of complaints received in the reporting period, as complaints received in previous reporting periods may be resolved in the current reporting period.
(3)(c) (i) 261
(ii) Dismissal, fine improvement action, reprimand, ceased discipline process – move to improvement action, or management action/counselling.
(iii)-(v) All complaints were actioned. Policy and procedures are amended as and when appropriate. The Department does not capture whether a complainant is happy with the outcome. Complainants who remain dissatisfied with the outcome have the option to refer their concern to the Ombudsman of Western Australia.
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