The approved provider of a High Wycombe education and care service, KidsHQ Jacaranda, has been ordered to pay a financial penalty by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) following an incident where a two-year-old child was left with bite and scratch marks to their face after being inadequately supervised.
Approved provider Hadema Holdings Pty Ltd has been ordered to pay a penalty of $12,000 by the SAT for contravening section 165(1) of the Education and Care Service National Law (WA) Act 2012 by failing to ensure that children at the service were adequately supervised.
A Department of Communities investigation found that in December 2022, a 2-year-old child, received injuries to their face following an altercation with two other children. A review of CCTV footage from the service revealed that the incident occurred while the children were left unsupervised for a period of up to 7 minutes in the sandpit area.
The SAT also ordered Hadema Holdings Pty Ltd to pay $1,500 towards the Department of Communities’ legal costs. More information on the SAT order is available on the eCourts website.
Quotes from Phil Payne, Executive Director, Regulation and Quality, Department of Communities:
“It is crucial that all approved providers complete regular audits to ensure that staff follow service policies and procedures at all times.
“When children are actively supervised in education and care services, the risk of harm is dramatically reduced.
“Every parent should expect that they can entrust their children into education and care services and that they are getting the best quality care and attention.”
