The sanctity of the school counsellor’s office—a supposed safe haven for vulnerable teenagers—has been shattered by a damning investigation that exposes how one woman traded trust for toxicity, grooming students with alcohol before preying on them.

In a ruling that has sent shockwaves through the Australian education system and alerted child safety advocates globally, the New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) has permanently banned Victoria "Toy" Worsley from the profession. The Commission’s findings paint a chilling portrait of a predator who systematically dismantled professional boundaries to access her victims, identified only as "Student J" and "Student M". This case is not merely about one rogue practitioner; it is a systemic wake-up call regarding the oversight of non-registered health practitioners in schools.

The Grooming Playbook

The investigation reveals a calculated methodology of abuse. Worsley did not just stumble into misconduct; she orchestrated it. According to the HCCC, she initiated contact with the 18-year-old and 17-year-old students outside of school hours, inviting them to her private residence. There, in an environment stripped of institutional oversight, she prepared alcoholic "jelly shots"—a seemingly innocuous party treat that served as the lubricant for her predation.

“Ms Worsley engaged in repeated sexual contact with Student J and sexual contact with Student M at a time when she was their school counsellor,” the Commission’s report states. This violation of Clause 13(1) of the code of conduct is described by investigators as a "grotesque abuse of power." The psychological impact on the victims, who sought guidance and found exploitation, is incalculable. Experts warn that such betrayals can lead to lifelong trauma, mirroring patterns seen in high-profile abuse cases in Kenya’s own boarding schools.

• The Verdict: The HCCC found Worsley poses "a significant and unacceptable risk to the health and safety of the public."
• The Ban: She is permanently prohibited from providing any health services, paid or voluntary, including counselling and social work.
• The Scope: The prohibition extends across Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia, effectively ending her career nationwide.

A Systemic Blind Spot?

The Worsley case highlights a terrifying gap in the safety net: the regulation of "non-registered" practitioners. Unlike doctors or psychologists who face stringent board oversight, school counsellors often operate in a grey zone. The HCCC’s intervention was necessary precisely because the standard checks and balances failed to catch Worsley before she could harm these students.

For parents in Nairobi, where international and private schools often hire expatriate staff, this story serves as a critical warning. The global nature of education recruitment means a predator banned in New South Wales today could theoretically surface in another jurisdiction tomorrow if background checks are not rigorous. The integrity of the "working with children" check is now under the microscope.

“We must choose between the comfort of ignorance and the discomfort of truth,” a child safety advocate told this journalist. “Victoria Worsley is a symptom of a system that trusts too easily and verifies too little.” As Worsley’s name is added to the public prohibition register, the question remains: how many others are operating in the shadows, armed with jelly shots and a badge of trust?