PATRICE FITZGERALD
Principal Lawyer and Director, Safe Space Legal Pty Ltd
Patrice is dedicated to protecting children and vulnerable individuals, leveraging her extensive legal expertise to ensure their safety. Admitted as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2006, Patrice has over 17 years of experience in safeguarding and child protection. She has collaborated with a diverse range of organisations, from small volunteer groups to large national corporations, helping them meet their moral and legal obligations.
Patrice's work spans various sectors, including schools, early education, family services, public housing, children's services, councils, and disability service providers. She excels in identifying compliance gaps and implementing effective changes. Her proficiency in handling sensitive misconduct complaints and conducting thorough investigations, both historical and current, is well-recognised.
Patrice has guided organisations through regulatory frameworks such as the Reportable Conduct Scheme (RCS), Child Incident Management Scheme (CIMS), Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS), and NDIS incident reporting. Her tailored legal advice is both cost-effective and efficient, reflecting her deep understanding of each client's unique needs.
Recently, Patrice has taken on a new role as a special member of VCAT, hearing child welfare matters, further extending her impact in safeguarding vulnerable populations.