The Department attended the Perth Magistrate’s Court on Friday 24 June 2022 for the charge against Ian Watters, who failed to appear and will be issued a notice to appear on 22 July 2022.
The Department will allege that on numerous occasions parents were using Ian Watters’ services to tutor their children at his home address in Mirrabooka or online.
A Negative Notice prohibits a person from undertaking child related work. Penalties of up to $60 000 and 5 years imprisonment apply.
Phil Payne, Executive Director, Regulation and Quality said:
“A Negative Notice is issued when a person has been assessed to be an unacceptable risk of harm to children. The Department takes any allegation of working with children while subject to a Negative Notice very seriously.”
“We are concerned about the information we have received as part of our investigation that parents may not be asking if tutors have undergone a Working with Children Check.
“This is particularly worrying in instances where they do not accompany their children.
“We advise parents and members of the community to avoid engaging any person in child related work if they cannot provide a current and valid Working with Children Card.”
Anyone who has had contact with Ian Watters and used his services for their children are asked to contact the Working with Children Screening Unit and lodge a complaint with the Compliance and Investigations Team by emailing wwc.compliance@communities.wa.gov.au or calling 1800 883 979.
Media contact: Nick Butterly 0466 633 250
