Phillip Doorgachurn joins ACF as GM of Strategic Child Safeguarding Initiatives

Phillip (Phil) Doorgachurn has joined the Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF) as the new General Manager of Strategic Child Safeguarding Initiatives. 

Mr Doorgachurn has had extensive experience across his nearly 20 year career in child safeguarding on a global scale, which began with him being a senior consultant to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) in the UK. During his tenure, he spearheaded initiatives that supported organisations in enhancing their child safeguarding practices. 

His expertise was further recognised when he led the safeguarding efforts for the London 2012 Olympic Games on behalf of the NSPCC, ensuring a safe environment for young athletes and attendees alike. 

Following the 2012 Olympics he took on significant roles within British Tennis and Arsenal FC, where he managed safeguarding operations from match days to international soccer schools, with his strategic oversight and operational acumen ensuring that child safety was always at the forefront. 

World first accredited training program

He then worked with pioneering organisation LimeCulture as Director of Safeguarding, designing groundbreaking solutions to complex safeguarding issues, including the creation of the world’s first Safeguarding Lead Officer accredited training program. 

His innovative approach has set new standards in the field, empowering countless professionals to protect and support children effectively. 

Dedication comes Down Under

Mr Doorgachurn’s passion and dedication soon saw him seeking new opportunities and challenges, heading to Australia to work with Kids First in Victoria before becoming the CEO of YMCA Safeguarding. 

At the YMCA, he led a strategic approach to safeguarding across all YMCAs in Australia. He ensured robust safeguarding mechanisms for children and young people through building a safe culture, operations, and environment that met the needs of children and young people.  

He is an active member of several boards, including LimeCulture in the UK, Families Australia (where he serves as Deputy Chair), and Pride Cup. Additionally, he contributes his expertise to the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse Advisory Group, supporting the implementation of the first action plan by the Attorney-General’s National Office for Child Safety. 

Working with ACF

In his new role with the ACF Mr Doorgachurn will lead the On Us: Australian Business Coalition for Safeguarding Children initiative, which aims to educate businesses about the risks and issues associated with child safeguarding, empower them to enhance their practices, and drive cross-sector action to create a safer and more just world for all children and young people. 

His vision in this, and many other roles, is a clear one: every child has the right to feel safe and be safe. He is personally driven to ensure that child rights are at the heart of all societal actions. Under his leadership, the Foundation is poised to continue to make significant strides in safeguarding children, leveraging his global experience and innovative mindset. 

“We are excited to welcome Phil Doorgachurn to Australian Childhood Foundation and look forward to the transformative impact he will undoubtedly have on child safeguarding initiatives across Australia. Together, we will end the trauma of abuse, exploitation, and neglect suffered by children and young people,” a statement from the Foundation notes.

Learn more about ACF’s work here.