UNDER INVESTIGATION AND SEEKING MORE WORK WITH CHILDREN

A WA government employee sought other work with children while under investigation for conduct later found to include sexual misconduct, according to a newly released Ombudsman report.

The employee had been directed away from their workplace following concerns about inappropriate physical contact, communication and behaviour around children.

While the investigation continued, another government organisation learned the employee had sought work involving a child in the community.

That child already knew the employee through another role and raised concerns about their conduct. The information was shared to help assess the risk and support the investigation.

SO WHAT HAPPENED?

• •December 2024: Staff observed physical contact between the employee and children. The employee was reminded of expected professional standards.
• •Early 2025: Further concerns emerged, including inappropriate communication and interactions captured on workplace footage.
• •April to May 2025: The matter was referred internally for investigation, the Ombudsman was notified and the employee was formally directed away from the workplace.
• •July 2025: A separate government organisation became aware that the employee had sought other child related work.
• •November 2025: The employee’s original employment ended. The investigation continued.
• •February 2026: The investigation found reportable conduct, including sexual misconduct, and determined the employee was unsuitable to continue in the child related role. Relevant information was shared with the Working with Children Screening Unit.

The report does not identify the employee or organisations.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

The published account does not say whether the employee obtained the other work, whether interim screening restrictions applied or what final screening decision followed.

The Ombudsman’s message notes:

“The end of employment is not necessarily the end of risk”.

Its guidance says investigations should not stop because an employee has been stood down, dismissed or otherwise left. Completing the investigation helps establish what happened and provides information for future child safety decisions.

THE BROADER PICTURE

The Ombudsman’s 2025/26 annual report, released on 25 September 2026, records more than 800 notifications of child related harm and 158 improvement actions by organisations covered by the Reportable Conduct Scheme. Notifications do not necessarily mean abuse was substantiated.

Separately, complaints about public authorities rose 30%, following a 24% increase the previous year. These increases concern public authority complaints, not child harm notifications.

SOURCE

https://ombudsman.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-09/ombudsman-wa-annual-report-2025-26.pdf