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The Chief Executive of YMCA New South Wales has resigned ahead of the release of a report by the NSW Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that is expected to be highly critical of the organisation.

Media reports indictaed that Phillip Hare stood down from his role on Monday (19th May) after eight years in the role and a 25 year YMCA career.

In an email to staff Hare wrote: "after consultation with the Board I feel it is time for a change in leadership at YMCA NSW. The past 12 months have been a truly challenging time for the Y in NSW, and both the Board and I believe a change in leadership will give the Y the best opportunity to deal with these challenges and move forward."

Sarah Hawthorn has taken a leave of absence from the YMCA NSW board and will be acting Chief Executive during the process of recruiting a successor.

In December, Senior Counsel assisting the Commission described YMCA NSW as an unsafe institution for children.

Among more than 70 submissions from Gail Furness SC were that Hare and General Manager of Children's Services Liam Whitley "may not be fit and proper to hold positions in the organisation".

The recommendations also said staff recruitment, supervision and training were inadequate.

In December, YMCA NSW defended the support given to former colleagues of convicted paedophile Jonathan Lord after allegations emerged about his conduct.

In January 2013, Lord was jailed for a minimum of six years for abusing 12 young boys during his time as a childcare worker at the YMCA at Caringbah in Sydney's south.

The Commission was told of a culture at the Caringbah YMCA that tolerated inappropriate touching of children.

A childcare worker at the centre, Michelle Bates, told the Royal Commission she could not pinpoint one instance where YMCA management did the right thing when the allegations surfaced.

The case was the focus of the second public inquiry of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The Commission's case study report, listing findings and recommendations in relation to YMCA NSW, is due to be handed down in the next four to six weeks.

Publisher's note:

Reporting the resignation of Phil Hare, a respected industry professional, is a news item that we take no pleasure in.

Phil built up a highly credible reputation in his years at the YMCA and while he was criticised by the Senior Counsel to the NSW Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse he was in a situation that many professionals could find themselves in.

He trusted in the professionalism of line managers and, while every Chief Executive is responsible for their staff, how much does a Chief Executive delegate and/or how much does s/he micro-manage?

At a time when professionals, public institutions, business identities and politicians in NSW and across Australia are under unprecedented levels of scrutiny for their conduct, Phil Hare would appear to be one of the few to have taken full responsibility for his actions, not choosing to hide behind legal complexities, denials, memory-losses or obscurification.

His being prepared to resign from the YMCA is an act of principle that should be recognised.

We wish him well in the future and hope he will bounce back.

We also hope that others currently under public scrutiny accept their responsibilities and behave with similar levels of integrity.

22nd January 2014 - YMCA NSW DEFENDS MANAGEMENT AND CHILD PROTECTION POLICIES 

21st November 2012 - YMCA TO MANAGE UNSW AQUATIC AND FITNESS FACILITIES

14th August 2012 - YMCA SAYS AUSTRALIA TOPS WRONG LEADER BOARDS 

28th February 2012 - CITY OF SYDNEY APPOINTS YMCA TO MANAGE MAJOR AQUATIC AND FITNESS FACILITIES 

5th January 2012 - YMCA URGES AUSTRALIANS TO PUT HEALTH AND FAMILY FIRST 

19th March 2009 - YMCA CALLS FOR INVESTMENT IN HEALTH

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