Education Consultant: Child Protection & Safeguarding (2026 - 2029)

We are seeking a full-time Consultant: Child Protection & Safeguarding (Contract 2026 - 2029) to join our Student Services Team. The Consultant plays a key role in strengthening child protection and safeguarding practices across the independent school sector. Through a combination of professional learning, consultancy, advice and investigative services, the position supports member schools to create and maintain child-safe environments and implement best-practice safeguarding strategies.

A significant focus of the role is the design, development and delivery of high-quality learning and development initiatives for principals, school leadership teams, teachers and professional support staff. This includes tailored professional learning, workshops, briefings, conference presentations, consultancy services and other capacity-building activities that enhance knowledge, confidence and capability in child protection and safeguarding.

Who are we?

Independent Schools NSW is the peak body supporting and representing independent schools in NSW and provides a range of services across NSW and ACT.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Design, develop, review and deliver high-quality professional learning programs, both face-to-face and online, on child protection, safeguarding and student safety matters
• Provide tailored consultancy services to school leaders and staff on child protection, safeguarding and student safety matters
• Develop practical resources, guidance materials and tools to support schools in implementing child-safe practices with a particular focus on emerging digital safeguarding risks including image-based abuse, generative AI, deepfakes and other emerging online safety issues
• Contribute to the development, review and continuous improvement of child protection and safeguarding services, resources and programs
• Monitor emerging trends, legislative developments and best practice in child protection and safeguarding and translate these into practical advice and learning opportunities for schools.
• Provide timely, accurate and evidence-informed advice on child protection legislation, policy, risk management and safeguarding obligations
• Conduct reportable conduct investigations and other child protection and peer-to-peer investigations in accordance with legislative requirements.

What experience will you need?

• Experience developing and delivering professional learning, training programs, workshops, presentations or other adult learning initiatives
• Demonstrated experience providing expert advice and support in child protection, safeguarding, student wellbeing, risk management, or related fields. Preference will be given to applicants with experience investigating for statutory bodies such as, the Joint Child Protection Response Teams, Office of the Children’s Guardian, the Department of Communities and Justice, NSW Police or the non-government sector
• Experience working with senior leaders and stakeholders to manage complex and sensitive matters
• Experience interpreting and applying legislation, policy and best-practice frameworks
• Experience conducting child protection, reportable conduct or other formal investigations
• Demonstrated experience preparing high-quality reports, correspondence, briefings and other professional documentation
• Experience managing competing priorities and working effectively in a complex and dynamic environment.

What knowledge and skills will you need?

• Strong knowledge of contemporary child protection and safeguarding principles and practices
• High level of understanding of legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks relevant to child protection and safeguarding in educational settings
• Extensive knowledge of reportable conduct, child-safe standards, mandatory reporting requirements and other relevant safeguarding obligations in NSW and the ACT
• Demonstrated expertise in emerging digital safeguarding risks including image-based abuse, generative AI and deepfakes is highly desirable
• Highly developed facilitation, presentation and adult learning skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.

What qualifications will you need?

Essential

• Tertiary level qualifications in child protection, psychology, social work, law, policing, human services, or a related discipline
• A valid NSW Working with Children Check Clearance for paid employment
• A current NSW Driver’s Licence
• Capacity to travel across metropolitan Sydney and beyond, including across NSW into regional areas, which involves being away overnight, at times for consecutive nights
• Flexibility with early starts and late finishes based on travel requirements
• Flexible work arrangements are available.

Desirable

• The Joint Child Protection Response Program (JCPRP) qualification in the investigative interviewing of children and young people
• A Security Industry Licence, Private Investigator Class 2E
• Certificate III in Investigative Services or equivalent
• Qualifications in adult learning, training and assessment, coaching, leadership development, or a related field
• Postgraduate qualifications in education, psychology, child protection, safeguarding, leadership, law, or a related discipline.

What we offer you

• Structured induction processes
• Four weeks annual leave (additional leave for the office closure period between Christmas and New Year is determined by the Board each year)
• Motor vehicle option
• Salary packaging
• Flexible work arrangements including a combination of working away from the office as well as dedicated time for collaboration in the office
• Internal and external professional learning opportunities, such as courses and conferences
• Collegiality with a team of highly experienced Consultants with a range expertise and professional qualifications to collaborate with and learn from
• Dedicated, staff wellbeing initiatives to promote connectedness and self-care.

Eager to join a dynamic team and work together to support independent schools to maintain child-safe environments and implement best-practice safeguarding strategies, then please provide the following:

• Covering letter
• Resume

Applications close Thursday 16 July 2026.

At Independent Schools NSW we value and promote a respectful, diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from people of all ages, nationalities, abilities, cultures and experiences.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. Invitations to interview for this role may occur upon receipt of the application prior to the closing date and may be extended beyond the closing date.

Margaret Molloy | Manager: People and Culture

Phone: (02) 9299 2845 | Email: ***email_hidden***