Sector Update 

Child leaves a Morley out of school hours care service unsupervised

The Learning

Effective supervision is paramount to ensure the safety, health and well-being of children attending education and care services. It is crucial that all staff remain vigilant and attentive at all times to prevent incidents occurring.

It is the responsibility of approved providers to ensure that all of their staff are aware of and follow their policies and procedures when it comes to supervising children.  Children accessing bathrooms should be adequately supervised.  Particular attention is required for bathrooms located away from the play space. Management strategies should include children being accompanied and supervised by a contact staff member.

The Incident

A Department of Communities investigation found that in September 2023, an eight-year-old child left Morley Out of School Care unsupervised and went to a nearby private residence.  The child was missing from the service for 30 minutes. 

After school the child arrived at the service and was sighted and signed in by educators.  The child then told educators they needed to use the bathroom and took themselves there unsupervised.  After several minutes staff noticed the child had not returned from the bathroom and were unable to locate them.

Staff from school assisted in searching for the child and located them in a nearby house of a friend known to the child.  School staff collected the child from the home and returned child to the service.

The child was unsupervised by service staff for 30 minutes. The service failed to adequately supervise the child using the bathroom whilst in their care. 

The Penalty

The approved provider, Bayswater Child Care Association (Incorporated), was ordered to pay a penalty of $12,000 and $2,500 in costs by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for contravening the Education and Care Services National Law (WA) Act 2012 and the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2012 for the offence of inadequate supervision of a child.

More information on the SAT order is available on the eCourts website.