Child Safeguarding and Policy Manager

About Us

At Only About Children (OAC), our unique approach to early years learning goes beyond education to encompass the health, safety, and wellbeing of every child in our care - we call this The OAC Way.

We operate over 80 campuses across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, providing high-quality early years education and care to over 8,000 families. Our work is guided by the HEART Principles - Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork - which shape our culture, our safeguarding approach, and how we partner with our families and communities.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Child Safeguarding and Policy Manager to lead our safeguarding strategy and oversee the creation, review, and governance of policies and procedures that underpin our commitment to child safety.

This pivotal role will combine strategic safeguarding leadership with policy and compliance expertise, ensuring our frameworks not only meet but exceed the National Child Safe Standards and jurisdictional requirements.

You will be the subject matter expert and trusted advisor across OAC, building a strong safeguarding culture, driving best practice in policy development, and ensuring consistency of implementation across our network.

Key Responsibilities

• Safeguarding Leadership: Lead OAC's safeguarding framework, embedding a culture of child safety and wellbeing across all campuses.
• Policy Development & Governance: Develop, review, and maintain safeguarding-related policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure clarity, compliance, and alignment with legislation and best practice.
• Risk & Compliance Management: Oversee safeguarding risk registers, conduct compliance audits, and implement effective incident management and review processes.
• Training & Capability Building: Design and deliver safeguarding and policy training for leaders and teams, ensuring a shared understanding of responsibilities.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with regulators, child protection agencies, and sector bodies; collaborate with global Bright Horizons safeguarding teams to align with international best practice.
• Incident Response & Investigation: Lead or oversee investigations into safeguarding matters, ensuring timely, fair, and compliant outcomes.

About You

• Proven experience in a safeguarding, policy, or compliance leadership role, ideally within education, community services, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of child protection legislation, National Child Safe Standards, and policy governance frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and implementing organisational policies and procedures.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence, guide, and educate at all levels.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Resilience, sound judgement, and commitment to continuous improvement.

What We Offer

• 50% discount on childcare fees
• Generous salary and annual review process
• Vouchers and recognition programs to celebrate your contribution
• Two additional Wellbeing Days per year + option to purchase up to two extra weeks' leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for ongoing wellbeing support
• Retail discount program with cashback offers across hundreds of brands

Apply Today

If you are passionate about safeguarding children and shaping policies that protect and empower, we'd love to hear from you.

At Only About Children we have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and we want you to bring your whole self to work. We welcome and encourage applications from all members of the community, particularly those who identify as Australian Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander.

At Only About Children (OAC), every child's safety, wellbeing, and protection is our highest priority. We have an unwavering committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every child feels safe and valued.   All employees are required to hold a current Employee Working with Children Check before beginning employment. Additionally, throughout the recruitment process, we conduct thorough assessments to ensure the suitability of all candidates for working with children.