Teacher indefinitely banned from the profession after pattern of behaviour revealed

The following is a summary of a recent decision made by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) regarding a Queensland teacher's registration. All names have been removed.

The full decision can be viewed on the Supreme Court Library Queensland website.

QCAT has indefinitely banned a teacher from the profession after they were found to have engaged in a "pattern of appalling behaviour" towards students and former students.

QCAT found their conduct fell towards the most serious end of breaches from the behaviour standard expected of a teacher.

The decision follows an extensive QCT investigation prompted by a notification from the teacher's school in early 2021 about concerning conduct. The teacher's registration was suspended when the QCT formed the view the individual posed an unacceptable risk of harm to children.

The QCT's year-long investigation included interviews with the teacher's former spouse, the students with whom they engaged in the conduct, and teachers. Emails, handwritten notes and photographs were also gathered. This comprehensive evidence revealed the level of the teacher's inappropriate relationships with multiple students over several years.

One of the former students had been employed by the teacher as a babysitter for their children in 2000. A sexual relationship continued for several years after they graduated. The teacher later persuaded them to sign a false declaration denying any inappropriate relationship of a romantic or sexual nature.

Another student, whom the teacher knew to be experiencing family issues, bullying and mental health challenges, was pursued from 2013. The teacher engaged in inappropriate and overfamiliar contact with the student, including private emails, visiting them in the school holidays, and engaging in an inappropriate relationship after they graduated.

QCAT found the teacher's conduct was "predatory in nature" and represented a serious breach of trust and professional boundaries. Their behaviour was described as a flagrant abuse of power. QCAT noted that teachers hold a special position of trust and must never exploit the power imbalance between themselves and students, even after a student has graduated.

QCAT found the evidence "safely established a ground for disciplinary action" and that the allegations had revealed the teacher's "pattern of appalling behaviour" that showed their prolific sexual interest in young students or former students.

QCAT stated the teacher demonstrated a "propensity to pursue intimate relationships" with the students and took deliberate steps to conceal their behaviour. It also found the teacher had shown no insight into the harm caused and had taken no action to address their behaviour.

Given the seriousness and ongoing nature of their misconduct, QCAT ruled that the teacher's registration be cancelled and that they be prohibited from reapplying for registration indefinitely.

QCAT noted theses sanctions met the objectives of the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005 , in maintaining public confidence in the teaching profession and protecting the public.

Glossary of terms

Prohibited:

QCAT can restrict a teacher from reapplying for registration or permission to teach for a period of time or indefinitely and may also impose conditions if they reapply for registration in the future.

Investigation:

The purpose of a QCT conducted investigation is to gather all relevant information to enable a practice and conduct body (e.g. QCAT) to decide whether a ground for disciplinary action against the teacher exists.

Background

The QCT refers serious practice and conduct matters to QCAT.

QCAT makes decisions on the matters, including any disciplinary action to be taken against a teacher. The QCT enacts these decisions.

QCAT is an independent tribunal that resolves disputes on a range of matters and is part of the Courts and Tribunals division within the Department of Justice.

Visit the QCT practice and conduct matters webpage for more information about our role in the process.