news, education, richardson primary school, allegations, abuse, staff member
Allegations of child abuse by a casual staff member at an ACT school last year have been referred to police. Students in one class at Richardson Primary School raised the allegations about the casual staff member in November last year. Principal Anna Wilson said in a letter to parents, which has been published on the Education Directorate freedom of information disclosure log, that the worker had been stood down pending an investigation. “I am writing to inform you that a number of students in the class have made allegations of inappropriate behaviour by [a casual staff member] that has been working in your child’s class,” Ms Wilson said. “Due to the very serious nature of the allegations, the staff member will not be at our school whilst I work with the Reportable Conduct team within our Directorate to conduct a thorough investigation.” The directorate would not disclose the nature of the alleged behaviour, however correspondence from a parent sent to The Canberra Times said it involved the alleged physical and verbal abuse of students. An ACT Policing spokeswoman confirmed police were now examining the matter. “The ACT Education Directorate has referred this matter to ACT Policing for assessment and consideration,” the spokeswoman said. “As the matter is being considered, we are unable to comment further.” The Education Directorate previously said the matter had been referred to the Professional Standards Unit. Under the Reportable Conduct Scheme, organisations, including all schools, childcare services and religious bodies, are required to report allegations of child abuse or misconduct to the ACT Ombudsman. Reportable conduct includes allegations of ill-treatment of a child such as emotional abuse or use of force, neglect, psychological harm, sexual misconduct or sexual offences, inappropriate discipline or not protecting children from harm. The ACT Ombudsman was notified and will oversee the directorate’s handling of the matter.
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Allegations of child abuse by a casual staff member at an ACT school last year have been referred to police.
Students in one class at Richardson Primary School raised the allegations about the casual staff member in November last year.
Principal Anna Wilson said in a letter to parents, which has been published on the Education Directorate freedom of information disclosure log, that the worker had been stood down pending an investigation.
“I am writing to inform you that a number of students in the class have made allegations of inappropriate behaviour by [a casual staff member] that has been working in your child’s class,” Ms Wilson said.
“Due to the very serious nature of the allegations, the staff member will not be at our school whilst I work with the Reportable Conduct team within our Directorate to conduct a thorough investigation.”
The directorate would not disclose the nature of the alleged behaviour, however correspondence from a parent sent to The Canberra Timessaidit involved the alleged physical and verbal abuse of students.
An ACT Policing spokeswoman confirmed police were now examining the matter.
“The ACT Education Directorate has referred this matter to ACT Policing for assessment and consideration,” the spokeswoman said.
“As the matter is being considered, we are unable to comment further.”
The Education Directorate previously said the matter had been referred to the Professional Standards Unit.
Under the Reportable Conduct Scheme, organisations, including all schools, childcare services and religious bodies, are required to report allegations of child abuse or misconduct to the ACT Ombudsman.
Reportable conduct includes allegations of ill-treatment of a child such as emotional abuse or use of force, neglect, psychological harm, sexual misconduct or sexual offences, inappropriate discipline or not protecting children from harm.
The ACT Ombudsman was notified and will oversee the directorate’s handling of the matter.
