Job Description

Safeguarding Officer/Investigator, EREA NSW Colleges Ltd1 year contractLocation: Greater SydneyEREA NSW Colleges Ltd. (EREA NSW Colleges) is a company limited by guarantee established by the Trustees of Edmund Rice Education Australia to ensure effective governance of seven mainstream schools in the Edmund Rice tradition in NSW. EREA NSW Colleges is responsible for the strategic direction, financial management and legal obligations of its schools. Strict line-of-sight governance arrangements must be in place.EREA NSW Colleges educates over 8,000 students and employs approximately 1,000 staff across the seven NSW schools – Christian Brothers' High School in Lewisham, Edmund Rice College in Wollongong, St Dominic's College in Penrith, St Edward's College in Gosford, St Patrick's College in Strathfield, St Pius X College in Chatswood and Waverley College. It is part of a national network of Catholic schools in the Edmund Rice tradition, including 31 mainstream schools, 22 flexible learning Centres and 2 special schools. The national organisation educates over 40,000 students and employs over 4,500 people across their network with schools in every Australian state and territory.The Safeguarding Officer/Investigator will be part of the EREA NSW Colleges Management Team, working closely with the schools' Child Safety Officers. The purpose of the role is to promote a culture of child safety through the development of practical and legislatively compliant child safe policies and procedures and training. This role will partner with schools to monitor and support the implementation of the EREA NSW Child Safeguarding program, and to support a healthy school culture of child safeguarding.Key responsibilities include:Safeguarding Children: Support the implementation of safeguarding practices, policies, training and systems ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements aligned to the EREA NSW schools' commitment to child safety.Providing Advice: Provide sound advice to NSW schools on safeguarding initiatives and practices to strengthen the protection of children and young people and assure that these practices are documented and embedded and in place in NSW schoolsInvestigations: Under the direction of the Director of Safeguarding, undertake investigations into allegations in NSW schools, including, but not limited to: reportable conduct, breaches of the EREA Code of Conduct and relevant Policies and ProceduresAssuring Compliance: Keep up to date with changing legislation and standards and provide assurance in regard to child safety practices, measures and procedures across the EREA NSW schools.Additionally, the Safeguarding Officer/Investigator may also perform duties within the accountability and level of the role as they emerge and as requested by the CEO. These additional duties will, in general, be mutually agreed by all parties.Key Attributes and ExperienceA commitment to the safeguarding and protection of all with a specific focus on the safety and welfare of children and young people and an understanding that safeguarding is a shared responsibility across the entirety of an organisationTertiary qualification/s in Human Services, Education, Psychology, or Law and/or equivalent experience in a similar roleExperience in or willingness to undertake professional learning in the area of investigationsUnderstanding of, and commitment to the values of a Catholic educational system of schools in the Edmund Rice traditionUnderstanding and knowledge of relevant safeguarding related legislation including but not limited to:Children and Young Persons (Care & Protection) Act 1998Children Guardian's Act 2019Child Protection (Working with Children) Regulation 2012Experience in audit/assurance of compliance obligations and controlsUnderstanding and knowledge of safeguarding issuesHighly developed oral and written communication skillsExcellent records management skillsSkills and experience in report writingNext StepsEmail ereansw@erea.edu.au to obtain a Candidate Package, including the Position Description and information on how to apply.Your application should include:Current CVCovering Letter: outlining reasons for your interest in and suitability for the position (no more than two pages).Written Statement: addressing the Key Attributes in the Candidate Pack (2 pages max)Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide three nominated referees.All applications will be acknowledged by reply email. Please contact us on (02) 8705 8610 if you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 7 days.For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Maura Manning, Director & CEO EREA NSW Colleges Ltd, on (02) 8705 8609 or maura.manning@erea.edu.au.For any general enquiries about the process or submitting your application, please contact EREA NSW at ereansw@erea.edu.au.APPLICATIONS CLOSE Monday 20 April 2026 at 9am (AEST)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.The successful applicant must possess (or be eligible to obtain) and maintain a current Working with Children Check.The successful applicant must be a registered teacher in NSW or be able to gain registration prior to the commencement of the position.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.