Authorities in Victoria are facing scrutiny after childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown was charged with 70 offences, including serious sexual assault against eight children. The charges, announced by Premier Jacinta Allan, have raised questions about the handling of prior reports concerning Mr. Brown’s conduct, which were not acted upon before his arrest.
Mr. Brown, 26, worked at Creative Gardens in Point Cook from October 2021 until his resignation in February 2024. The allegations of abuse involve children aged between five months and two years, with police claiming the offences occurred from April 2022 to January 2023. Despite being previously unknown to police, Mr. Brown held a valid Working with Children Check at the time of his arrest.
Two reports were made to Victoria’s Reportable Conduct Scheme regarding Mr. Brown’s interactions with children. The first report, filed in April 2023, described an incident where he allegedly “aggressively picked up and put down” a child, failing to provide support when the child became upset. An investigation by his employer, G8, substantiated this claim, resulting in a formal warning and a performance improvement plan.
The second report emerged in January 2024, after a parent raised concerns about Mr. Brown’s behaviour, including allegations that he shouted at children and forcibly grabbed them. G8 confirmed that this report was also substantiated, and Mr. Brown was suspended pending investigation. He subsequently resigned without returning to work.
Despite these findings, there was no review of Mr. Brown’s Working with Children Check. The Commission for Children and Young People, which oversees the Reportable Conduct Scheme, allegedly exercised discretion in this case, determining the incidents were of lower severity and thereby missing an opportunity to reassess Mr. Brown’s clearance to work with children.
In light of Mr. Brown’s extensive employment history, police have urged any families with concerns about his conduct at other centres to come forward. Acting Commander Janet Stevenson stated that while there were no prior complaints against Mr. Brown, the ongoing investigation aims to uncover any additional allegations.
The Reportable Conduct Scheme was established in 2017 following a critical inquiry into how allegations of abuse were managed in various institutions. It mandates that any reportable allegations must be reported within three days, with the organisation responsible for conducting its own investigation, guided by the commission.
The commission has faced challenges in managing an increasing number of reports, which surged by 30 percent in the year leading up to 2023-24. Reports related to incidents in childcare settings rose 53 percent, highlighting a growing concern over child safety.
G8 has publicly expressed its commitment to addressing allegations seriously and maintaining child safety across its centres. However, the commission’s ability to provide thorough oversight has been called into question, especially as it has not received additional funding since the scheme’s inception.
The Victorian government is under pressure to improve the system and ensure the safety of children in educational environments. Premier Allan stated her commitment to taking all necessary actions to protect children, yet questions remain about the government’s response to funding requests for the commission.
As the investigation into Mr. Brown continues, parents and guardians are encouraged to report any concerns to the authorities. The case underscores the vital importance of vigilance in childcare settings and the need for robust mechanisms to address allegations promptly and effectively.
