Meet Helen
Helen Branch
Principal Trainer, Consultant & Founder
Helen began working in Early Childhood services in 1992. Helen has worked in local and state government, as well as private and community based services.
Helen has been the management committee president of a community based Early Childhood and School Aged Care Service continuously since 2004. Helen has been facilitating training since 2003 for a range of Children’s Services, Community Based NGO’s, Government Departments and private providers.
Helen has specialised in reporting Abuse and Neglect to the relevant authorities for children, young people and adults with disabilities.
Education
- Graduate Certificate (Primary Education)
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
- Certificate IV TAE (Teaching and Assessment)
- Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training
- Teaching by Distance
- Language, Literacy and Numeracy support for learners
- Currently studying a Graduate Certificate in Special Education
And various informal courses such as using social media to facilitate learner engagement.
Awards
In May 2017 as the President (volunteer) of the Samuel Gilbert Out of School Hours Care, her parent management committee and the centre received:
- Excellence in Innovation Award for “Child and Family Community Engagement and Participation”. Issued by Network of Community Activities
- Rated exceeding under National Quality Standards Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
Indigenous and Cultural Awareness
Helen is sensitive to the needs of indigenous cultures having grown up with an Aboriginal ‘aunty’.
Helen’s Aunty lived with her family growing up and has passed on her traditional Aboriginal name onto Helen’s daughter.
Helen has taught indigenous culture units and managed the culture clusters for diploma and certificate III Early Childhood Courses at TAFE. She has consistent positive feedback on her ability to be sensitive to the needs of culturally diverse participants.
Helen has worked with Education Support students who are training as Aboriginal Education Support Workers to support the indigenous students and families in their schools.
Helen has had considerable exposure to the culture of Papua New Guinea through family experience.
Christianity
- Studied at Sydney Missionary and Bible College
- Active member of churches in Sydney and Canberra since she was a child
This brings a spiritual dimension and understanding to her work.
Training and consultancy services requiring specific Christian considerations or implementation in a faith environment can be catered for by CarersEd.
What training do I need?
In Queensland and New South Wales, state legislation outlines obligations for community reporters and mandatory reporters. Our training is tailored to the state you operate in. We also offer a range of industry-specific courses to suit your organisational needs.