Letter Clearing DET of Abuse

Read how a corrupt investigation once again cleared the Victorian Department of Education of widespread child abuse

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Letter Clearing DET of Abuse

Read how a corrupt investigation once again cleared the Victorian Department of Education of widespread child abuse

Uploaded by

juliepipip23

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

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COR2067277

Ms Julie Phillips
Email: [email protected]

Dear Ms Phillips

As you are aware, the Department of Education and Training, through external lawyers K&L Gates,
engaged an investigator, Peta Nowacki, to conduct a factual, independent investigation into
allegations of concern at Marnebek School. The investigation was part of a broader Review into
allegations raised by yourself and others about practices at Marnebek School and two other schools.

I am writing to inform you that the Review has been completed.

In summary, the Review found that the majority of the allegations are unsubstantiated or unable to
be substantiated and that there is no evidence of current practices of violence, abuse or neglect, or
that otherwise breach the Department’s Restraint and Seclusion policy Marnebek School.

The Review found evidence of some concerning past practices at Marnebek School. The evidence
demonstrated that, without the student being in danger, some restrictive practices were likely to be
in breach of Department policy in place at the time. The Review noted that these historical practices
have now ceased.

The investigation found allegations you raised regarding your son Andrew’s time at the school were
unsubstantiated or the investigator was unable to make a finding due to insufficient evidence.

Parts of an allegation you raised relating to the school’s management of an injury sustained by Andrew
were factually substantiated. However, the Department considers this incident was not managed
inappropriately.

This investigation process has highlighted a number of opportunities for the Department. In response,
the Department will be developing enhanced online training regarding the restraint and seclusion
policy for staff working at all government schools across Victoria.

The Department will also provide refreshed policy advice and guidance to support all schools with
students with complex communication needs, focused on the use of alternative and augmentative
communication devices.

I would like to thank you for raising your concerns and for your participation in the investigation.

Your details will be dealt with in accordance with the Public Records Act 1973 and the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. Should you have any
queries or wish to gain access to your personal information held by this department please contact our Privacy Officer at the above address
I understand you have also raised concerns regarding your son Chris’ experience at Lyndhurst
Secondary College. I encourage you to continue raising these concerns with the school or contacts in
the regional office so that these can be followed up on appropriately.

If you have any further questions in relation to this matter, please contact Ian Lanyon, Director, Schools
and Regional Services, via email: [email protected]

Yours sincerely

Chris Thompson
Assistant Deputy Secretary, Schools and Regional Services
Department of Education and Training