Royal commission inquiry to examine case of Families SA paedophile Shannon McCoole

THE child-protection system “shortfalls” that allowed former Families SA carer Shannon McCoole to abuse children in his care will be the focus of a specific royal commission inquiry.

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THE child-protection system “shortfalls” that allowed former Families SA carer Shannon McCoole to abuse children in his care will be the focus of a specific royal commission inquiry.

Child Protection Systems Royal Commissioner Margaret Nyland has revealed she will launch a six-week study into the case and expects to call more than 80 witnesses.

They will include people involved in employing McCoole and who worked alongside him in Families SA-run residential care homes, as well as police officers, SA Health and other Families SA workers and carers employed by NannySA.

Hearings will begin on January 18.

McCoole was last year convicted of sexually abusing seven children in state care and was near the top of an international online child pornography ring.

His case prompted the royal commission.

Child sex offender Shannon McCoole.

Shannon McCoole after his arrest.

A statement released today by Ms Nyland said that whether McCoole would be called to give evidence for the case study had not been decided.

Hearings will be closed to the public, but media will be allowed to attend.

Hearings will cover issues such as background screening, training, registration and supervision of people who work in the child protection system.

“I am hopeful that at the conclusion of this case study, we will have a clearer picture of the

shortfalls in the system which permitted the abuse of some very vulnerable children,” Ms Nyland said.

There are about 360 children who live in state-run group homes such as those in which McCoole worked.

Former guardian for children in state care Pam Simmons, who left the role last month, said it was becoming increasingly common for children to live for many years in residential care facilities, supervised by paid staff.

She said South Australia relied on this more costly type of housing more than any other state.

Ms Simmons had also called for more on-the-job supervision of people in roles working closely with vulnerable children.

Families SA boss Etienne Scheepers said the agency would “continue to provide full support and co-operation as it has done throughout the course of the ... Royal Commission”.

“We are committed to doing everything possible to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children in care,” he said.

The agency did not say which staff may give evidence.

Opposition child protection spokeswoman Rachel Sanderson questioned why the inquiry was only being launched 18 months after McCoole was arrested.

Ms Sanderson said evidence from McCoole could be helpful in addressing flaws in the child protection system.

“The circumstances surrounding Mr McCoole’s offending was one of the reasons this royal commission was established in the first place,” she said.

“The Weatherill Labor government must follow this inquiry closely and implement any recommendations put forward by Justice Nyland to improve South Australia’s child protection system.”