Hi, I’m Sarah
Sarah is the sole founder and proprietor of Sarah Kousal Consulting. With a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences from La Trobe University and a Diploma in Frontline Management from Mt Eliza Business School, Sarah is offering high-quality consulting services to organisations in and around Victoria.
Sarah has over 15+ years’ experience working across state-government, local government and the not-for-profit Child and Family Services sector in service delivery, leadership and management roles. Sarah was the Strategic Advisor for the City of Moonee Valley Family and Children’s Services for 4 years. Sarah was selected to pioneer the role in recognition of her high-level strategic planning skills and her role as an organisational thought leader. This enabled her to drive change and continuous improvement in line with the organisational values and vision.
Sarah is an organisational health, education and wellbeing consultant specialising in strategic planning, organisational differentiation, organisational engagement and transformation. Sarah is an expert at cascading goals within an organisation so that everyone understands their role in driving change. Sarah is a perpetual and holistic thinker who encourages organisations to shift behaviours, and drive choice through iterative service reviews and accountable decision making. Sarah is a strong leadership coach capable of providing a high level of mentoring and support to organisations and their people.
Achievements
Designed and led the award-nominated EIPPG in Moonee Valley - Minister’s Award for Innovation in Protecting Children and Early Years Award in 2019
Professional Guest Speaker at the Early Childhood Australia Conference 2019
City of Moonee Valley organisational award for Strategic Thinking
Volunteer Role - President of Maribyrnong Kindergarten 2018
Honour Roll for the Alcoa Outstanding Community Worker Award (2009)
Baptcare Family Services Award for Excellence 2007
Education
BACHELOR OF LAWS
Latrobe University 2003
BACHELOR OF BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE
Latrobe University 2003
DIPLOMA FRONTLINE MANAGEMENT
Mt Eliza Business School 2012
Sarah’s career highlights
Sarah has managed high-quality government-funded services across the Family and Children’s Services sector for 13 years including: Families First, Parenting Assessment and Skill Development Service (PASDS), Integrated Family Services, Post-Natal Depression Counselling Services, Early Intervention Services, Maternal and Child Health, Supported Playgroups and Playgroups.
Designed and led the award-nominated Early Intervention and Prevention Partnership Group pilot (EIPPG) in Moonee Valley. EIPPG provided an evidence-based system and outcomes framework to coordinate early intervention support more seamlessly across local government’s integrated platform for early years’ service delivery - See video clip below.
Sarah led a municipal-wide action research project (including qualitative and quantitative research studies) that designed and delivered a specialist training program to assist early childhood educators to identify and support vulnerable children and families.
Sarah was a professional guest presenter at the Early Childhood Australia Conference (2019).
Pioneering change processes and cutting-edge program re-design, the development of evidenced based tools and resources across the not-for-profit and local government Family & Children’s Services sector. Highlights include the review of the Families FIRST Reunification Program and the establishment of the benchmark Integrated Family Services Program in Victoria (as assessed via an Independent Review body).
Sarah has led multiple Advisory Groups, Steering Committees and Project Management Groups, driving cutting-edge service, structural, program and policy reviews to ensure compliance with legislation, strategy and change management directives.
Designed and delivered training and development programs for multi-disciplinary teams to address gaps and needs identified during qualitative and quantitative research and consultation processes.
Sarah was recognised as an outstanding leader (top 5% of leaders, nationally) in 2018 in accordance with the Australian School of Applied Management Competency Model and individual Capability Assessment. This involved 360 degree feedback from key stakeholders across her organisation of employment.