I am an Australian based freelance consultant with over 25 years’ experience working with children and young people.
I provide specialist advice to local, national, and international organisations regarding service provision for children and young people.
My areas of expertise include: Children and young people in the Child Protection, Youth Justice, Mental Health, and Education systems; Engaging and consulting with children and young people; Safeguarding children and young people (Child Safe Practice); Policy and program review, development, and implementation; Design and delivery of tailored education and training; Investigating complaints and concerns about service delivery; and Independent statutory oversight and advocacy.
I have provided consultancy services to government, private, and not-for-profit organisations based in Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia, and India.
I am also an Associate of the Singapore University of Social Sciences, where I teach Counselling Psychology.
Between 2008 and 2016, I was the Children and Young People Commissioner in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and between 1997 and 2008, I was the Deputy Community Advocate for Children and Young People in the ACT.
In 2016, I was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to children and young people; in 2015, was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to examine ‘Child Safe, Child Friendly’ practice in Iceland, Norway and Sweden; and in 2014, was an ACT Australian of the Year Finalist for my work promoting and protecting the rights of children and young people.
I have a Master's degree in counselling psychology, and full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia, the British Psychological Society, and the Singapore Psychological Society.
