Out and About with Clare Seddon

Your personal journey has taken you across various countries and cultures. How does that experience influence your approach to strategy and culture within HIPPY?

Having lived and worked across different countries has strongly shaped how I lead.

It’s given me a deep appreciation for the diversity of thought and how life experiences, culture, and community influence perspectives. My work in gender mainstreaming, health, and education initiatives overseas, leading international teams, reinforced the importance of context, cultural understanding, and flexibility.

At HIPPY, this shows up in how I think about strategy and culture, valuing different perspectives to shape our direction, alongside a strong commitment to accountability and action.

I love leading this program because it’s an evidence-based model that remains flexible and responsive to community context.
It’s a privilege to help shepherd the program forward, guided by the voices and insights of families and Providers

You often represent HIPPY as a thought leader at various conferences and workshops. What is a recent key learning or trend from the sector that the HIPPY network should have on its radar?

I recently attended a workshop led by Professor Ted Melhuish that provided a powerful validation of our work. His population-level research, including the Effective Pre-school, Primary and Secondary Education (EPPSE)longitudinal study, confirms that the home learning environment is fundamental to lifelong outcomes for children.

Two findings stood out: first, the critical role of a rich home learning environment where parents and children connect through reading, singing, and playing, regardless of socioeconomic background.

Second, the importance of parents being supported to access high-quality early childhood education. It was incredibly affirming to see this research validate the long-term difference that HIPPY Coordinators, Tutors, and families are making every day.

Professor Melhuish’s research confirms what we see every day: a rich home learning environment is the most fundamental driver of lifelong outcomes for children

BSL's mission is about creating a fairer society. In your opinion, what is the single most critical structural or systemic change needed right now to better support families and children in the early learning space?

For me, the most critical systemic change we need right now is a genuinely integrated early learning and family support system that meets families where they are.

Too often, early learning, health, disability, and family services operate in silos, placing the burden on parents to navigate complex systems at exactly the moment they are under the greatest pressure

When supports are coordinated, culturally responsive, and focused on recognizing parents as their child’s first teachers, children benefit, and positive outcomes abound.

Leadership is a continuous journey. What has recently shaped your thinking or provided you with a new perspective?

I’m quite eclectic in my intake! At the moment, I’m listening to The Baffling Behavior Show by Robyn Gobbel.
She explores children’s behaviour through a trauma-informed and relational lens. These ideas translate powerfully into leadership, reinforcing the role leaders play in creating safety and connection within teams.

I also recently finished Eddie Jaku’s The Happiest Man on Earth.
Eddie’s commitment to gratitude, kindness, and the primacy of relationships, even after unimaginable trauma, is a profound lesson for leadership. It’s a reminder that the cultures we build are shaped by the values we consistently choose to model.

What is one thing you actively do to ensure the HIPPY National Office culture is one where all team members feel they belong and are empowered?

I’m intentional about understanding and recognizing the unique skills and leadership strengths across our team.

Valuing expertise helps build a culture grounded in curiosity and respect. By creating opportunities to draw out these strengths, we ensure people feel heard and motivated to contribute positively to the change we want to see.

I’m at my best when I know my work aligns with what matters to me and when we’re supporting others to achieve the life they wish for