Alleged Ipswich childcare assault not reported to police for five months
A “mortified” mother has revealed her shock after learning police were kept in the dark about her child’s alleged assault at a South East Qld childcare centre.
A childcare worker who allegedly assaulted a three-year-old was immediately fired by her employers but police weren’t informed of the incident until five months later.
It means there would have been no red flags against the worker if they continued working in the industry.
In another shocking weak link of Queensland’s Blue Card system, the mother of the three-year-old has revealed the harrowing toll on her child after he was allegedly assaulted at Amaze Education at Redbank Plains in Ipswich in March.
The mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told The Courier-Mail was informed by staff that her child was allegedly hit by a worker in March but had been left waiting for answers.
There have been no charges laid against the woman or any findings that the alleged incidents have occurred.
“The incident happened on March 20,” she said.
“I was called into the centre that day and had a meeting with the director.
“She advised that educator had been let go and she was following the correct procedure to report the incident.
“But I was left in the dark about anything else regarding the incident.
“It wasn’t until police made contact with me that I actually got some insight.”
A police spokesman confirmed the incident was only reported in August and initial inquiries were ongoing.
The mother said she was “mortified” to learn police weren’t told about the incident until August, because she thought it was being handled.
“The incident report states that there was no red mark or other physical injury but it does not factor in the emotional distress it would have impacted my child,” she said.
“I do believe more needs to be done to stop people working in another child space again while under investigation.”
The revelations come after The Courier-Mail on Tuesday revealed a different worker under investigation for assaults at the same childcare chain found work at another centre after employers found no red flags against their name.
A spokesman for Amaze Education said they follow their reporting responsibilities extremely diligently, blaming the Education Department for not notifying police or escalating the issue further after the centre had informed them.
“I wish to be clear – Amaze followed the industry-standard legislative reporting and response protocols to the letter on the day of the incident taking place,” he said.
“Any subsequent delay in referrals to police or other regulatory authorities only underlines the need for reforms to the current child safety system in Queensland.”
It comes after another childcare worker was originally stood down from her position at Amaze Education in Silkstone more than a month ago after reports were made to police about two incidents at the centre.
No charges have been laid against her or any findings that the alleged incidents have occurred.
Leading child safety advocate Hetty Johnston said it was wrong that police weren’t informed until August.
A Department of Education spokeswoman said the regulatory authority was aware of the matter and working with police.
Originally published as Alleged Ipswich childcare assault not reported to police for five months
