Child Safety in Plain Sight
Shifting Culture from Compliance to Vigilance
Following the first keynote, this powerful panel brings child safety into sharp focus—where it belongs: in plain sight.
Join panel members as they unpack how the sector can move beyond ticking boxes to creating a culture of constant vigilance. Together, they’ll explore practical strategies, leadership mindsets, and everyday actions that make safety not just a policy, but a shared value lived out in every interaction.
Expect bold ideas, honest conversation, and a call to action to ensure the safety of children is everyone’s business—every moment, every day.
Learn more about our panel members
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Professor Selena Bartlett is a world-renowned neuroscientist and Group Leader of Neuroscience and Neuroplasticity at the Translational Research Institute, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health at the Queensland University of Technology.
A widely published neuroscientist, author of “Being Seen” and commentator on neuroscience and its application in the real world. Professor Bartlett offers highly practical applications to help organisations and individuals to deal more successfully with the stresses of the modern workplace and living.
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Nicole Talarico is best known as an advocate for child safety and children’s rights, with a social justice lens always present. Nicole is an author, her book Asserting a Culture of Child Safety to guide education and care services to create and maintain physical, emotional, spiritual, social and culturally safe environments with her insight being shared at inter/national conferences in the capacity as key note speaker and MC and through targeted professional development projects such as Early Childhood Australia and the Department of Education for their Child Information Sharing Scheme launch. Nicole undertakes Quick Response Team work for the Department of Education in VIC, NSW and WA due to her extensive experience in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Nicole’s work has been published in a range of early childhood sector peak body publications, inclusive of podcasts, and webinar platforms.
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Katy Brennan is the Director of Quality Education and Care Northern Territory (QECNT), with a vast range of experience in early childhood education and regulatory leadership. With a background spanning Long Day Care, Preschool, Primary School, and OSHC settings, and prior regulatory experience in Victoria, Katy has a deep understanding of the sector. Joining QECNT in 2020, Katy has progressed through key roles, including Authorised Officer and Assistant Director, before being appointed as Director in early 2024. As Director Katy provides strategic leadership in the implementation of the National Quality Framework across the NT, driving regulatory excellence, sector collaboration, and improved safety and outcomes for children. Now proudly calling the Territory home, she is committed to growing a strong, responsive, and high-performing regulatory authority.
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Connie has over 25 years’ experience in a variety of community and education and care services, specialising in infants and toddlers. Along with strong community involvement, Connie believes support and guidance to build educator capacity is the best way to drive quality sustainable practice.
Connie has been with Child Australia for over three years and is passionate about the professional development and growth of educators in the Early Education and Care sector.