12/05/2023

Respected senior public servant Jackie Bray has been selected as the new Chief Executive of South Australia’s Department for Child Protection.

Ms Bray, who is currently serving as the Head of the Office for the Early Years within the Department for Education brings with her a wealth of experience across government, including nearly a decade at the Department for Correctional Services.

Prior to her time at Correctional Services – where she served as Deputy Chief Executive for more than six years – Ms Bray was the Youth Justice Director at the then Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

She has also held roles in the UK health system and is an accomplished senior executive with a proven track record in the consistent delivery of large public sector projects involving people and change management.

Ms Bray was selected from an international field of more than 60 applicants for the role.

She will start her five-year term on June 1, with Public Service Commissioner Erma Ranieri continuing as Interim Child Protection Chief Executive until that time.

Quotes attributable to Katrine Hildyard, Minister for Child Protection

We are steadfastly determined to drive lasting change that tackles the complex challenges families face and begins to improve the lives of children and young people so that they have the best chance to physically, mentally and emotionally thrive in environments where they are loved, safe and cared for.

I am so pleased to welcome Jackie Bray as Chief Executive as we work toward this vision through continuing to drive the reform needed to improve our Child Protection system.

Throughout her career, Jackie has demonstrated clear leadership and a serious commitment to improving lives, often in very challenging circumstances.

Achieving our vision will require alignment of whole of government, whole of community and whole of sector effort. Jackie’s leadership and experience will be so important as we embed collaboration around that whole of system reform.

Quotes attributable to Jackie Bray

I’m honoured to have been selected for such a significant responsibility and look forward to beginning the role in just a few short weeks.

I’ve never been afraid of a professional challenge – and am proud of my record delivering changes in education, corrections, youth justice and health.

I know there are many talented and dedicated Child Protection staff in our system who have the welfare of children at the forefront of their work.

I will endeavour to provide them the clarity, training and decision making structures needed to make a real difference.