The 30 January 2025 incident occurred after the boy left the service alone and unsupervised. The child crossed several major roads, including Shepperton Road and Albany Highway, until a member of the public noticed the child and alerted the police, who returned him to the service unharmed.
A Department of Communities (Communities) investigation found that the approved provider had breached Section 165 of the Education and Care Services National Law (WA) by failing to adequately supervise the child, which resulted in a penalty of $40,000. The investigation also determined that the provider failed to take every reasonable precaution to protect the child from harm and hazard and was ordered to pay a further $40,000.
Camp Australia has now faced disciplinary action in front of the Tribunal on 16 separate occasions.
More information on the Tribunal’s order is available on the eCourts website.
Quotes from Angelo Barbaro, Executive Director, Regulation and Quality, Department of Communities:
"The consequences of the child crossing two busy highways and several roads could have very easily been catastrophic. We know of tragic instances where children have been hit by vehicles in driveways on quiet suburban streets. The risk to the child in this situation was extremely high.
"It’s incredibly fortunate that in this case, a member of the public found the boy and called the police.
"Services must ensure that their staff are suitably trained and supported to actively supervise all children in their care, no matter their needs or circumstances. This includes developing and following Behaviour Support Plans for those children.
"The Education and Care Regulatory Unit (ECRU) has a strong compliance framework and will use the compliance tools available under the national law where there are serious breaches of the legislation.
"Western Australia continues to lead the nation when it comes to taking compliance measures to ensure the health safety and wellbeing of the children.
"This outcome should remind providers of the importance of active and constant supervision.
"We urge approved providers to ensure constant, appropriate supervision practices are in place to keep children safe and to avoid compliance action."
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