Rekha Gnanasegaran is a multidisciplinary education, safeguarding, and child and family practice leader with nearly 30 years of experience across early childhood education, workforce development, child protection, trauma-informed practice, VET, TESOL, and community services.
Having worked across frontline practice, senior leadership, and professional education, Rekha brings a unique ability to connect safeguarding, compliance, and organisational capability with practical, real-world application.
She is recognised for her expertise in child safety, safeguarding, family violence, trauma-informed practice, and workforce development, as well as her ability to translate complex frameworks into clear, engaging, and actionable learning experiences.
Known for her collaborative approach, strong stakeholder relationships, and solution-focused mindset, Rekha enjoys creating learning environments that capture attention, encourage participation, and make complex topics accessible, practical, and memorable for diverse audiences.
“I enjoy bringing learning to life – creating training experiences that are engaging, interactive, and relevant, while helping people build the confidence to apply new knowledge in their everyday practice.”
Experience
Rekha’s work across training and safeguarding contexts includes:
- Delivering professional development for early childhood educators aligned with the NQF and EYLF
- Leading investigations into regulatory and policy breaches, including evidence gathering, staff interviews, risk assessment and implementation of corrective actions
- Developing training and assessment materials for Certificate III and Diploma qualifications in early childhood education
- Managing cases involving children in out-of-home care impacted by family violence, including risk assessment and safety planning
- Supporting children with disability through inclusive practice, environmental adaptation and collaboration with families and allied health professionals
Her work is grounded in practical application, reflective practice and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Formal education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (0–8 years)
- Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Leadership
- Diploma in Montessori Method of Education
Professional certifications and training:
- Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment
Awards
- HESTA Early Childhood Education Professional Award Nominee (2012)
