The Education Department revealed this afternoon that an employee at a regional primary school has been charged with five counts of unlawful sexual intercourse.

In a statement released a short time ago, the Department for Education and Child Development said that Police had today notified the department that a current employee had been arrested and charged with five counts of unlawful sexual intercourse relating to incidents alleged to have occurred in 2012.

“There is one known alleged victim at this time,” the statement said.

“The man is currently employed as a school services officer (SSO) for a regional primary school and as a casual youth worker for Families SA and, in the past, has worked at two regional high schools.

“He has been directed away from work.

“In accordance with Debelle Report recommendations, parents will be notified by letter of the arrest.

“The department is currently examining the employee’s work roster at Families SA and will notify the relevant carers and parents as soon as possible.

“As the matter is currently before the courts, we are unable to provide further detail at this time.”

The statement comes a few days after the State Government announced a new Royal Commission into South Australia’s child protection system.

Last month, Premier Jay Weatherill said that the alleged acts of a Families SA child carer at a government-run residential-care facility may be “one of the most catastrophic events in Australian history”.

The Premier’s comments followed a statement by police that they has charged a southern suburbs man with offences including seven counts of unlawful sexual intercourse, and the aggravated production, possession and dissemination of child exploitation material.