Safeguarding children in small and geographically remote communities comes with a range of opportunities and challenges.

While small communities are often cohesive, in some instances harmful social norms can be rigid and difficult to challenge. While it can seem that “everyone knows everything” about each other and share a common history, this can encourage cultures of secrecy and amplify the stigma attached to abuse.

Due to distance and limited resources, people in small and remote communities often lack access to services to meet universal, additional, and complex needs. Professionals often find it difficult to navigate personal and professional boundaries, especially where peer challenge is needed, or may need to take on multiple roles.

Often there is a small enthusiastic group sustaining the entire system and a sense the system is only ‘one brick deep’. Budgets often don’t stretch far enough to offer regular training and development opportunities. Systems that have been developed in larger cities and regional centres often do not make sense in small and remote communities. Usually a bespoke, community driven approach is required to identify local solutions to local problems.

I have had the privilege and opportunity to work in a range of jurisdictions around the world in both large cities and small and (very) remote communities. This experience has shaped my understanding of the joys, challenges, complexities, risks, and opportunities of life and safeguarding in diverse contexts.

Enabling local people to address local problems is at the heart of my practice. Communities need different levels of support to achieve their goals. Some communities need some online coaching and mentoring to get started, while others benefit from an enhanced level of facilitation and guidance throughout their journey.

Contact me to discuss your local needs.