Joshua Dale Brown, a Melbourne childcare worker, was reported for non-sexual incidents two years before his arrest, but no review of his clearances was conducted.
A bombshell ABC investigation has revealed that Brown was reported for his conduct at the Point Cook Creative Gardens childcare centre, where his alleged sexual offences occurred.
Two Reports Made to Victoria’s Reportable Conduct Scheme
The two newly revealed reports did not relate to sexual offending, but included Brown behaving “aggressively” with a child two years before his arrest.
One incident, reported in April 2023, involved Brown “aggressively picking up and putting down” a child, not upholding the child’s dignity and rights.
The incident was investigated, and Brown was placed on three months’ leave, received a warning, and was given an improvement plan.
The second incident, reported in January 2024, involved Brown raising his voice with three children and “forcibly” grabbing one child’s arm and leg.
Again, the incident was reported, and Brown was suspended and subsequently resigned.
Failure to Review Brown’s Clearances
A substantiated finding would typically trigger a person’s Working With Children Check to be reviewed, but the Commission for Children and Young People used discretionary powers not to escalate Brown’s offending as it was viewed as a lower-level incident.
If it had been escalated, authorities would have had the opportunity to review Brown’s Working With Children Check. Instead, he went on to work at 10 more childcare centres.
G8 Education’s Response
Chief executive Pejman Okhovat said, “These allegations are deeply disturbing, and our hearts go out to the children and families involved.”
G8 Education is working with Victoria Police and the government in their investigation and “doing everything we can” to help the families and children find justice.