Repeated failures left children unsafe, says Children's Commissioner

Children's Commissioner Jane Searle says the independent review into the handling of the Timothy Fisher case reveals a series of failures to take the necessary action to protect children.

“Every child has the right to be safe wherever they are, including at school, kura and other education settings.

“This report makes for confronting reading. It describes a series of ongoing and inexcusable failures that meant a teacher, about whom there were repeated and serious concerns, to continue working with children for years.

“The review identified multiple missed opportunities to take action to prevent harm, suspend Fisher's ability to teach, or cancel his registration. It is unbelievable to me that he was able to continue teaching when there were so many concerns about his behaviour.

“Nothing should trump the safety and rights of children. When safety concerns are raised about someone working closely with children, those concerns must be treated with urgency.

“Every decision made by organisations responsible for children's safety should start with a simple question: Are we doing everything we can to protect children? This report suggests that, in this case, the answer was too often no,” she says.

Ms Searle says the review highlights the importance of strong safeguarding systems, and the focus must now be on ensuring the lessons from the review lead to meaningful change.

“Children have the right to be heard and taken seriously. They have the right to be safe.

“When children do raise concerns, disclose harm, or tell us that something is wrong, adults have a responsibility to listen and respond. There is too much at stake to get it wrong.

“Children must be able to trust that the adults and institutions responsible to prevent harm will act quickly when safety concerns are raised.”

Media contact:

Melissa Wastney
029 909 2715