Education Minister moves to reassure WA parents after horrific Joshua Dale Brown abuse case in Victoria

A snap review of Western Australia’s childcare system has been ordered to ensure safety protocols are up to scratch, in the wake of horrific abuse allegations in Melbourne. Victoria has banned phones in daycare centres, after childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown was charged with more than 70 offences. Around 1200 children have been identified as at-risk, with health checks underway for infectious diseases. A national child safety review was already underway, launched in May, but WA’s Education Minister Sabine Winton has now ordered the State’s Education and Care Regulatory Unit conduct its own. “I have every confidence in the work that they do, but I have also directed ECRU to do a quick review,” she told 7NEWS. “I want to reassure parents that we have strong regulatory frameworks to protect children and keep them safe.” Ms Winton told a Budget estimates hearing on Wednesday that strict child safety protocols are in place to detect predators moving interstate. “The Department mandates a no-screen no-start policy,” she said. “Also any disclosable court outcomes are returned to the Department and assessed in accordance with the Department’s criminal convictions suitability criteria. The Department considers all criminal history when assessing suitability for clearance. “The safety of children is paramount, no matter what setting they are in in WA, whether it is the local footy club, or an early learning centre.” There are more than 900 childcare centres registered in WA.