Child, Youth and Family has apologised to the victims of Frank Russell Walmsley, who was yesterday sentenced to 22 years' jail.
CYF deputy chief executive Viv Rickard said Walmsley had not only betrayed CYF's trust and that of the young people he abused; he also damaged the reputation of the many caregivers who provided loving, nurturing homes for children in its care.
"No child should ever have to endure abuse of any kind and we find it abhorrent that this happened at one of our homes.
"We are truly sorry about what happened to these young people.''
Much of the evidence presented in the court regarding Walmsley's sexual offending was not known by the Child, Youth and Family staff involved with the family home at the time, he said.
"Staff involved in the trial were distressed to learn of the level of deceit shown by Mr Walmsley and the impact his offending had on young people as details emerged through the course of the trial.''
Since the time this abuse occurred Child, Youth and Family had significantly improved its processes and protocols around investigating sexual abuse allegations.
He encouraged anyone who was in the home and was abused or neglected to contact CYF and they could work through the options available.
"Where mistakes have been made we will own them.''
