For families living in regional communities, finding the right support for a child’s development can sometimes mean navigating long waitlists, travelling significant distances or trying to work out where to turn for help.
In July, the Kaleidoscope team travelled to Collie to connect with local families educators and community services.
The visit, delivered in partnership with Parenting Connection WA and the Child and Parent Centre – Collie Valley, brought together family consultations, parent education, educator professional development and community collaboration.
Rather than simply bringing services into the community, the focus was on working alongside the people and organisations already supporting local children and families, strengthening connections and building knowledge that can continue to have an impact beyond the visit.
Supporting families to navigate what comes next
During the Collie visit, 11 families received more than 40 hours of clinical consultation, support and report preparation.
Conversations covered early identification of developmental differences, diagnostic and paediatric pathways, NDIS access and therapy funding, school and childcare support, and practical strategies to support children’s participation and inclusion.
For families who may already be navigating a complex range of health, disability and education systems, having the opportunity to talk with experienced clinicians and work through their individual circumstances can be an important first step.
The feedback from families captured the impact of having that support close to home:
Sometimes, the most valuable outcome is simply helping a family feel heard, understood and more confident about where to go next.
Giving educators practical tools
Supporting the adults around children was another important part of the Collie visit.
We had a great turnout with more than 50 educators from four schools and five childcare services taking part in sessions focused on sensory processing and autism, regulation before participation, understanding the reasons behind behaviour and creating safer, more inclusive learning environments.
The workshops focused on practical ideas that educators could take straight back into their classrooms and early learning settings.
Here’s what a few of the educators had to say:
Building local knowledge in this way can have a lasting effect, giving educators more tools to understand children’s needs and make their environments more supportive and inclusive.
Creating opportunities for families to connect and learn
Parent workshops provided another opportunity for families and community members to access specialist knowledge without having to travel outside the region.
A number of families attended an ADHD workshop with developmental paediatrician Dr Paul Wallman, including a session focused on sensory processing and practical, individualised strategies.
These sessions created space not only to learn, but also to ask questions, share experiences and connect with others who may be navigating similar challenges.
Strengthening local connections
An important part of the Collie visit was bringing together the people and services already working to support children and families in the community.
Representatives from the Child and Parent Centre, WA Health, child health nursing, social work, Parenting Connection WA, schools and early childhood services came together to explore how local pathways could be better connected, particularly for families experiencing vulnerability.
These relationships are an important part of creating stronger support systems for regional families. When services understand one another’s roles and can work together more effectively, families are better placed to find the right support at the right time.
The impact of coming together
Regional connection isn’t simply about bringing specialist services to a community for a few days. It’s about listening to what families and local services need, sharing knowledge, building relationships and strengthening the support that already exists.
The Collie visit demonstrated what can happen when specialist expertise is combined with strong local partnerships and community knowledge:
11 families supported
40+ hours of clinical consultation and support
56 educator workshop attendances
17 parent and community workshop attendances
But behind those numbers are the moments that matter:
- A parent leaving with a clearer understanding of their child’s needs.
- An educator approaching behaviour from a different perspective.
- A family feeling less alone in navigating the path ahead.
“One of the most valuable initiatives we have been fortunate to offer.”
The Child and Parent Centre in Collie Valley has strongly supported the program returning to Collie so that more families, educators and community services can benefit.
Through continued collaboration with Parenting Connection WA and local communities, Kaleidoscope is helping build stronger pathways to early identification, practical support and inclusion for children and families across regional WA.