Director of Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia; Chair, South Australian Child Protection Expert Group

Professor Leah Bromfield, Director and Chair of Child Protection at the Australian Centre for Child Protection, is one of Australia’s foremost child protection experts, who has worked nationally and internationally with government and non-government organisations in establishing and implementing child protection reforms.

Prof Bromfield’s prominent work leading and supporting government reform and significant contributions to Inquiries and Royal Commissions has directly changed laws, policies, and practices in the field of child protection. Her roles and appointments include Commissioner in the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s responses to child sexual abuse in institutional settings, and Professorial Fellow to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, established by the Australian government, leading its extensive research program. Prof Bromfield’s expertise has been extensively recognised, including as Chair or of the inaugural South Australian Child Protection Expert Group and member of the Council of Australian Government’s National Framework for Protection Australia’s Children Governance group since 2010, and through awards including the Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year (Public Sector and Academia, 2017), and the 2018 Women in Innovation Social Impact Award.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer Families, Territory Families, Housing and Communities; Adjunct Industry Professor, Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia

With over two decades experience at senior executive levels in the public sector, Fiona is recognised as an exceptional leader and strategist, responsible for leading and implementing a significant program of child protection sector reform at both the state and national levels.  Fiona brings with her significant child protection expertise and a strong track record in supporting organisational excellence, driving system and service delivery reform, and building successful collaborations across sectors. As an Adjunct Professor with the University of South Australia Fiona has led a deliberate partnership approach with the tertiary sector to drive leadership and evidence-based reform.

Fiona has led the reform of the child protection system in South Australia, driving significant improvements through her leadership of strategy and policy, inter-government relations, child protection practice and service delivery, Aboriginal policy and practice, legal and contract reform. Fiona has also co-led the development of the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children and the two Action Plans with the Aboriginal Leadership Group and the Commonwealth Government.

In 2022, Fiona’s outstanding contribution and child protection expertise was recognised with the award of the Public Service Medal.

Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency

Muriel Bamblett is a proud Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman who has been the CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency since 1999. In this role Muriel has advocated for Aboriginal children, young people and families, the importance of culture and the principle of care within the community.  As well, Muriel has lobbied successfully for major changes to the Victorian State child and family welfare laws.

On a National level, Muriel is Chair of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), the peak Australian agency for Indigenous child and family services. As the Chair, Muriel championed new approaches to federal engagement in the Aboriginal children’s agenda and supported Aboriginal communities across the country to develop and deliver innovative and effective child and family support policies and programs.

Muriel is active on many boards and committees concerning Aboriginal children and families including the Aboriginal Children’s Forum; the Dhelk Dja Family Violence Partnership Forum, the Aboriginal Justice Forum, and the Coalition of Peaks Joint Council on Closing the Gap to name just a few.

Muriel’s contribution to her community and to Victoria has been recognised in many awards.  In 2019 Muriel was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Australia Day Honours for distinguished service to the Indigenous community in Victoria as an advocate for the self determination and cultural rights of children.

Academic institutions have also recognised Muriel’s work. In 2009 Muriel was appointed by La Trobe University as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Social Work and Social Policy. In 2017 Muriel was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters in Social Work by the University of Sydney in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Aboriginal child and family welfare.

Co-Chair Aboriginal Affairs Executive Committee; Executive Director, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Nerida Saunders is a Murri woman from the Kamilaroi Nation, born in Moree in Northern New South Wales (NSW).

Nerida has worked in the Public Sector for the past 31 years; commencing in 1988 and has worked in NSW, Qld and SA. Nerida’s extensive career has encompassed important senior roles in various areas of complex social policy and service delivery including families and communities, child protection, housing, and Aboriginal Affairs.

Since arriving in South Australia, Nerida has held the positions of Director Children, Youth and Family Services, General Manager for the Aboriginal Housing Authority SA, and since 2009 the Executive Director, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation within Department for the Premier and Cabinet.

Nerida was awarded the Public Service Medal as part of the Australia Day Honours in 2016 for outstanding public service in the provision of leadership and advocacy in the area of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. Nerida sits on a range of boards and committees, including the Premier’s Council for Women, Child Protection Reform Portfolio Management Board Issues group on Suicide Prevention, and Exceptional Needs Executive Committee, to name a few.

Deputy Director and Associate Professor, Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia

Melissa O’Donnell is Deputy Director and Associate Professor at the Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia. Melissa is an internationally recognised researcher in the area of child maltreatment and vulnerable children and families and has utilised population-based linked administrative data for over 15 years to contribute new knowledge and evidence. The main focus of her research program includes: i) risk and protective factors for vulnerability to child abuse and neglect; ii) outcomes for children in care; and iii) infant removals by the child protection system. Melissa collaborates with government and non-government partners to ensure research addresses areas of policy and practice and to enable effective translation.

Executive Director of Medical Services & Senior Staff Specialist Paediatrician, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health

Dr Diana Lawrence is a highly respected Paediatrician and Medical leader in South Australia, with extensive experience in the assessment and care of infants and children, particularly those who may have experienced child maltreatment. In her early career, Diana worked for eight years as a Consultant Paediatric Emergency Physician in the Paediatric Emergency Department and Child Protection Service of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital, before moving to Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) in 2005, where she remains as a senior Consultant Paediatrician.

In her time at FMC, Diana worked for many years in the FMC Child Protection Service and along with her colleagues, contributed submissions to the Nyland Royal Commission into Child Protection in SA.

More than four years ago, Diana was appointed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at SALHN (Southern Adelaide Local Health Network) which incorporates Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Hospital, the Jamie Larcombe Centre and many other sites, including the Repat Health Precinct.  In her role as CMO, she is focused on providing strong supportive leadership along with fostering a collaborative culture, partnering with consumers and community to provide high quality safe patient care to meet the needs of the people of Southern Adelaide. As a respected and experienced clinician, Diana’s advice is frequently sort after by a broad range of stakeholders and peers.

Diana always keeps the care of children and their families at the centre of her practice, and is delighted to be part of the SA Child Protection Expert Group contributing to improving safety and outcomes for children in SA.

Professor, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University

Sharon Dawe is a Professor in Clinical Psychology at Griffith University, Australia, an Adjunct Professor at the Australian Centre for Child Protection, UniSA and a Visiting Fellow at Oxford University, UK. She has been working as a researcher and clinician in the field of substance misuse and mental health for over 30 years at the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London (UK), National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW and currently Griffith University. Her current research interests include child maltreatment, diagnosis and treatment of trauma and neurodevelopmental disorders.

She is the co-developer of the Parents Under Pressure program (www.pupprogram.net.au), designed for complex families that includes parental substance misuse. She leads a large consortium developing a diagnostic process for young children with prenatal alcohol exposure and potential Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Sharon is passionate about improving the outcomes for children living in adverse circumstances by supporting parents to manage difficult life situations.

Regional Executive Director, Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs; Chief Practitioner Child and Family Services, Queensland Government

Dr Meegan Crawford was appointed to Qld’s inaugural Chief Practitioner role in September 2020 and as of May 2023 has assumed a six-month temporary role of Regional Executive Director.

A Queensland University social work graduate, Meegan started her child protection practice in 1990 and remained in largely frontline, policy and training positions before leaving the department in 2005 to work at Griffith University. Remaining at Griffith Uni for almost seven years Meegan helped establish Griffith’s Social Work field education program, worked as a lecturer, tutor and research assistant and commenced her PhD which was completed in 2014. Driven to be part of improving child protection practice Meegan returned to the department in 2012 and has worked as a manager, director, and executive director to lead key practice reforms and provide capability development to staff.

As Chief Practitioner Dr Crawford oversaw the teams responsible for child death and serious injury reviews; child safety complaints; child safety training; operational policy and procedure; partnerships and projects, delegated authority, children with a disability, and child sexual abuse, and led the strategic direction for the First Nations, sexual abuse, disability, mental health, and domestic and family violence practice leaders.

As Regional Executive Director Meegan is responsible for the strategic direction for a large region in the SE corner of Qld and oversees child safety and youth justice operational service delivery.

Chief Executive Officer, Relationships Australia SA

Claire has more than 30 years' experience in the not-for-profit community services and education sector. She was appointed as CEO of RASA in 2016. Claire is innovative and outcomes-driven, with demonstrated commitment to human services that strengthen family safety, build cultural respect, and use community resources wisely. She has expertise in strategic planning, financial management, outcomes evaluation, and organisational change.

Claire is skilled in designing evidence-based services attuned to the needs of their location, and understands the importance of changing how services are implemented to ensure successful client outcomes. She is also committed to strengthening cross-disciplinary collaboration for collective impact, most recently working in partnership with La Trobe University and the Family and Federal Circuit Courts of Australia, ensuring the constellation of risks faced by parents and their children are holistically considered at the beginning of the court process, and; with DCP in implementing a family group conferencing model across South Australia, empowering families to make decisions central to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in their care. Highlights of Claire’s publications with others are listed below.

As a professional educator, Claire has also led the development of several national and international resources that build and extend professional skills, including AVERT Family Violence, SQUARE Suicide Questions and Resources, Family DOORS (detection of overall risk screening), Cultural Fitness Training, the challenging racism game, and Point of Contact - children living with family domestic violence.

Claire is currently Chair of the National Relationships Australia Board and is a member of the SA Gambling Advisory Council.

Chief Executive Officer, MacKillop Family Services

Dr Robyn Miller, PhD, is a social worker and family therapist with over thirty five years’ experience in the community sector, local government and child protection in Australia. She was a senior clinician and teacher for fourteen years at the Bouverie Family Therapy Centre, La Trobe University, and part of an innovative team working with families who have experienced trauma and sexual abuse. Robyn has practised in the public and private sectors as a therapist, clinical supervisor, consultant, and lecturer and was a member of the Victorian Child Death Review Committee for ten years. From 2006-15 she provided professional leadership as the Chief Practitioner within the Department of Human Services in Victoria and has also worked as a consultant with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Robyn is currently the CEO of MacKillop Family Services, one of the largest providers of specialist services to vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and their families in Victoria, New South Wales, ACT, Western Australia, and Northern Territory. Robyn serves as a Board Director of Australian Catholic Standards Ltd and the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (NSW).

Chief Executive, Uniting Communities

Simon Schrapel has enjoyed a 35+ year career of working in the Social and Community Services field in Australia and abroad in a range of practice, policy, planning and management roles. This has involved positions in local government, State Government and non-government organisations. He is currently the Chief Executive of Uniting Communities, a South Australia based community service agency committed to social justice and inclusion. Simon has committed to strong focus on place making and building inclusive connected communities through his career.

He has undertaken a number of leadership positions in sector peak bodies, advocacy groups and advisory boards. Simon was President of ACOSS from 2009-2013 having served as the Chair of SACOSS from 2002-2009.  He is a past Chair of the Child and Family Welfare Association of Australia, and Families Australia and current Chair of Foodbank SA. He served as a member of the National Compact Advisory Group and amongst other positions has been a member of the Prime Minister’s National Panel on Economic Reform, Premier’s Council on Suicide Prevention, Chair of the Council for the Care of Children together with a host of other Government appointed boards at a national and State level. Simon is also currently the National Co-Chair of Anti-Poverty Week.

Simon was awarded Membership of the Order of Australia in 2017 for his services to children and family services and the community sector.

Director, Two Worlds Consultancy; Aboriginal Social Worker

Shirley Young is an Aboriginal woman descending from the Nukunu people in South Australia. She is a Social Worker and the Director of Two Worlds Consultancy and co-director of Endless Eden.

Shirley has previously worked in various Public Service organisations over a span of 24 years in portfolios such as Health, Child Protection and Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

For the last five years she has been running a state-wide business called Two Worlds Consultancy that contracts services to government and non-government organisations. Services include reunification, therapeutic support to children in Out of Home Care settings, providing supervision to staff in government and non-government organisations, contracting services to the NDIS sector, delivering corporate training and development packages, writing corporate documents and casual lecturing for university social work students.

Shirley currently represents a variety high level working groups that inform and address the over representation of Aboriginal children, young people and families in the child protection system to address systemic failures.

Executive Director, Inclusion & Reform, Department of Human Services

Katherine Hawkins is Executive Director, Inclusion and Reform, within the Department of Human Services where she is responsible for leading a collaborative and creative social inclusion agenda for the department. Her current role includes leadership of the implementation and system-wide outcomes monitoring of the Child and Family Support System, which provides family support services and other programs designed to respond earlier to child abuse and neglect.

She has held executive positions in the areas of early intervention, access and inclusion, youth justice, housing and corrections following a career working across the broader human services sector. Katherine is a registered forensic psychologist, has a diploma in business and personal coaching, and has a number of published articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Executive Director, Service Delivery and Practice, Department for Child Protection

Sue Macdonald is the Executive Director, Service Delivery and Practice, Department for Child Protection (DCP) and was appointed in 2019. With over 30 years’ experience in direct service delivery with children and families, Sue is one of the senior executives in DCP responsible for leading the pursuit of practice excellence in the delivery of child protection in South Australia. Sue is committed to quality practice and practice improvement and embedding associated with reforms to the child protection legislation, policies and practice guidance.

In 1996, Sue joined the Child Protection Service (CPS), Flinders Medical Centre, initially as a clinician and was responsible for providing specialist assessment and therapeutic services to infants, children young people, and their families where child abuse and neglect was a prominent feature of their lives.

Sue’s career at CPS spanned 17 years and included management roles such as the Clinical Services Coordinator and Director, CPS; a critical function of this role was close interagency collaboration with other government and non-government organisations responsible for responding to child abuse within South Australia.

Sue returned to DCP in 2014 and has occupied various leadership roles since this time relating to service delivery and practice. Since 2014, Sue has been a well-respected member of the Parole Board of South Australia providing extensive child protection knowledge.

Sue has remained passionate about child protection across the course of her career with a particular interest in staff growth and development.

Director of Child Protection Services & Associate Director of Allied Health, Women’s and Children’s Division, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health

Dr Jacqui Beall has substantial leadership experience in the area of child protection and is currently the Director of Child Protection Service in the Southern Adelaide Health Network and holds an adjunct position at Flinders University. Dr Beall is a psychologist who has worked with complex families in the public sector for over 20 years.  During this time her focus has been on young children and the impact of trauma and family violence on child-parent attachment relationships and child development.

Jacqui has strong clinical and research interests in the area of child protection with a focus on breaking the intergenerational cycle of abuse. Over her career Dr Beall has been an active member of the Australian Association of Infant Mental Health, including five years as the president of the South Australian branch and three years on the National Committee.