National Manager Safeguarding Practice

Edmund Rice Education Australia Flexi Schools Ltd; City of Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Edmund Rice charism

Learn how to do school differently

Enhanced Superannuation contributions

Salary sacrificing benefits (FBT-exemp

Induction & development

Supportive multi-disciplinary team

Job summary

Edmund Rice Education Australia Flexible Schools Ltd seeks a National Manager – Safeguarding Practice to lead and embed safeguarding across the national network of Flexi Schools. You will collaborate with the National Director of Educational Strategy and Innovation and travel 25% to support regional implementation.

The role requires tertiary qualifications in education, social work or related fields, and a track record in safeguarding, staff development and cross-team collaboration.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications and/or professional experience in education, social work, youth work, community development, safeguarding or related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of safeguarding as relational, preventative and practice-based.
• Ability to translate safeguarding requirements into practical school-based guidance.

Responsibilities

• Support the National Director of Educational Strategy and Innovation on safeguarding practice.
• Embed child safety into culture, routines and everyday practice of Flexi schools.
• Collaborate with national, regional and school leaders to strengthen safeguarding practice.

Skills

Safeguarding

Child protection

Education

Coaching

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Related field degree

Job description

National Manager Safeguarding Practice Tenure: Full time, Continuing Location: National Office (Eagle Farm) with opportunity for flexible hybrid working arrangements Commencing: 1 January 2027

About the role

The National Manager – Safeguarding Practice role is responsible for providing support to the National Director of Educational Strategy and Innovation around authentic Safeguarding and flexible and inclusive practices. The role plays a key support in ensuring all EREA Flexible Schools effectively enact and maintain fidelity to our practice of common ground and to the 10 National Safeguarding Principles and relevant Catholic Standards, adhering to all legal and regulatory requirements of an educational setting. This role will work in partnership with the National Leadership Team and Regional Support Teams around the country. In addition, this role will work collaboratively with other school-based Safeguarding personnel in EREAFS in a strong Community of Practice. Expected travel 25% of the time, in particular to Flexible Schools, sometimes at short notice. There is a project role that will finish up in December 2026. This position will replace that position in an ongoing way.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or professional experience in education, social work, youth work, community development, safeguarding, child protection or a related field. Demonstrated understanding of safeguarding as relational, preventative and practice-based, with the ability to embed child safety into the culture, routines and everyday practice of Flexi schools. Knowledge of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, relevant Catholic safeguarding standards and child protection obligations, with the ability to translate requirements into practical school-based guidance. Experience developing resources, tools, training or implementation supports that build staff capability in professional boundaries, safe relationships, help-seeking, young person voice and safeguarding practice. Ability to work collaboratively with school, regional and national leaders to strengthen consistent safeguarding practice, support local problem-solving and contribute to a national Community of Practice. Highly developed communication, facilitation and coaching skills, including the ability to work sensitively with complex matters, maintain confidentiality and promote culturally safe, trauma informed and young-person-centred practice.

Qualifications and Skills

Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or professional experience in education, social work, youth work, community development, safeguarding, child protection or a related field. Demonstrated understanding of safeguarding as relational, preventative and practice-based, with the ability to embed child safety into the culture, routines and everyday practice of Flexi schools. Knowledge of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, relevant Catholic safeguarding standards and child protection obligations, with the ability to translate requirements into practical school-based guidance. Experience developing resources, tools, training or implementation supports that build staff capability in professional boundaries, safe relationships, help-seeking, young person voice and safeguarding practice. Ability to work collaboratively with school, regional and national leaders to strengthen consistent safeguarding practice, support local problem-solving and contribute to a national Community of Practice. Highly developed communication, facilitation and coaching skills, including the ability to work sensitively with complex matters, maintain confidentiality and promote culturally safe, trauma informed and young-person-centred practice.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:

• Edmund Rice charism
• Learn how to do school differently
• Enhanced Superannuation contribution options
• Salary Sacrificing benefits, including FBT exempt payments of up to $15,900 p/a
• Induction, wellbeing and ongoing professional development
• Supportive multi-disciplinary team environment

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) Flexible Schools Ltd currently educates over 2,700 young people in 22 Flexible Learning Schools (12 based in Queensland and 10 other schools across Australia) and two Special Education Services Schools in NSW, with approximately 800 staff nationally. Flexi schools serve young people who experience complex educational, social or psychological situations which demand unique responses. They enable young people to engage in education in a supported learning environment through a methodology based on trauma informed practice, to co-create a Common Ground using Operation by Principles, in which the principles of Honesty, Respect, Participation, Safe & Legal are embedded. Our special schools serve young people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.

The successful applicant must possess (or be eligible to obtain) and maintain a current Working With Children Check. All applicants will be subject to EREA and legislative screening procedures. These checks are consistent with EREA’s commitment to child protection policies and procedures. Edmund Rice Education Australia is committed to ensuring the safety, wellbeing and dignity of all children and young people.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer.

Are you seeking a rewarding career that provides a sense of wellbeing, growth and fulfillment? At Edmund Rice Education Australia Flexible Schools Ltd we believe in creating an environment where you can thrive and reach your full potential. Introduce yourself to our recruiters and we’ll get in touch if there’s a role that seems like a good match.

Founded in values espoused in the Gospel, Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) seeks to transform the hearts and minds of young Australians through education to build a more just and inclusive local and global community through presence, compassion, and liberation. According to The Charter for Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition, EREA offers a Liberating Education, based on a Gospel Spirituality, within an Inclusive Community committed to Justice and Solidarity.