Hi, I’m Brent. I’m a speech pathologist consultant from Melbourne. At SLCN we offer Assessments and Therapy for speech pathology, behaviour therapy, and counselling. We are available for face-to-face assessments and therapy at our clinic in Derrimut, within the Melbourne area, and remote services anywhere you are in the world.
“The answer is not to standardise education, but to personalise and customise it to the needs of each child and community. There is no alternative. There never was.”
- Sir Ken Robinson
At SLCN, our journey began with a profound belief in the potential of every child. We envisioned a world where children, irrespective of their unique challenges, could lead happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. This vision serves as the unwavering motivation behind our therapy, driving us to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and their families.
Our foremost motivation is to foster the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of children. We recognize that each child is unique, and we are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment where they can thrive.
We believe in the strength of families as the foundation of a child's support system. Our motivation extends to empowering families with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to help their children flourish.
We understand the significance of early intervention in addressing childhood challenges. Our motivation lies in providing timely and effective therapies that can make a profound difference in a child's life, setting the stage for a brighter future.
Every child is unique, and we are inspired by the diversity of the children we work with. Our motivation stems from our dedication to celebrating these differences and promoting inclusion in all aspects of our therapy.
We are driven by a commitment to excellence in our field. Our motivation lies in staying at the forefront of evidence-based practices and continuously improving our services to offer the best possible care to children.
We firmly believe that therapy can inspire hope, resilience, and growth in children facing challenges. Our motivation is to be a beacon of hope for children and their families, showing them that a brighter future is within reach.
Our ultimate motivation is to leave a lasting, positive impact on the lives of the children we serve. We aspire to equip them with the skills and confidence they need to overcome challenges and embrace their unique potential.
At SLCN, our motivation is deeply rooted in our passion for making a difference in the lives of children. We are inspired by the strength, resilience, and limitless potential of every child, and we are committed to providing them with the support and care they deserve. Together, with families, caregivers, and the wider community, we aim to build a brighter, more inclusive, and empowered future for the children of Australia.
At SLCN, we are committed to providing high-quality, interdisciplinary therapy services that focus on the communication, daily living, social-emotional, and physical skills and behaviour of our participants. Our approach is based on the following principles:
We believe in putting the participants and their families at the heart of everything we do. We work to understand and address their unique needs and preferences, and we involve them in every step of the therapy process.
We are a family-run values-based business, and we uphold responsible social and ethical behaviour. We require the same from our participants and their families.
We have a team of skilled professionals from various disciplines who work together to provide comprehensive therapy services to our participants.
We use evidence-based practices and data-based decision making to meet our goals and the goals of our participants and their families.
We are accountable and transparent in our communication and interaction with participants and their families and our staff.
We respect the individuality and diversity of our participants and their families, and we strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.
Ensuring that our staff members understand and adhere to these principles in their daily work with our participants and their families.
Providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities to our staff members to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide high-quality therapy services.
Regularly reviewing and updating this policy to ensure that it remains relevant and effective.
Seeking feedback from our participants and their families to continuously improve our approach and services.
At SLCN, we are committed to providing high-quality, interdisciplinary therapy services that are centred around the unique needs and preferences of our participants and their families. Our approach is based on the principles of family-centred care, values-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, data-based decision making, accountability and transparency, and respect for individuality and diversity.
At Supporting Learning for Children with Needs (SLCN), we believe in early intervention and providing family and participant-centred services. We align our services with the NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators and use the International Classification of Functioning - Child & Youth Version (ICF-CY) to guide our therapy.
Our focus is on building the capacity of families, increasing the independence and participation of participants, and targeting important, generalizable, and meaningful skills. We choose therapy goals based on the routines and activities where participants need the most support. We use a functional approach with developmental and naturalistic perspectives based on interaction, and a positive behaviour for learning approach.
We follow the lead of our participants and their families because we know that children who lead get the language they need. We give participants and their families opportunities to communicate and interact with us, and we do so in a calm and supportive manner. We respect the decisions participants and their families make about their services, and tailor our services and communication to the developmental level of the participant.
We use a strengths-based and authentic assessment and use Evidence-Based Practice (EBP3) – which includes evidence from family and participant, therapist, and scientific research – to guide our therapy. We track therapy progress to know our impact and use surveys to allow participants and their families to provide us feedback. We also use video feedback as a learning experience.
At SLCN, we use a routines and activities-based approach, and a predictable structure with participants and their families. We stress important words, use pictures and gestures, and speak in a slow and clear manner in our interactions and communication with participants and their families.
We observe, wait, and listen (OWL) with participants and their families to understand their needs and build a strong therapeutic relationship. We believe in using program-based, specific systematic therapies to support the participant's progress and provide them with the skills they need to thrive.
Overall, at SLCN, we are committed to advocating for early intervention, building strong relationships with participants and their families, and providing quality therapy services that align with best practices and promote the independence and participation of the participant.
Our organisation has a set of values that reflect our core beliefs. This helps us be a rewarding and positive place to work and deliver therapy.
We live our values every day to help us make decisions that are right and deliver participants our purpose.
They unite us in our shared passion for driving social change, so people with disabilities have choice and control over their lives.
We value people
We grow together
We aim higher
We take care
We put participants and their families at the heart of everything we do
WE
Work to understand and address our participants’ and families’ needs
Deliver on our promises
Empower and invest in our people
Are proud of our workplace and the work we do.
At SLCN, we value people and strive to provide high-quality therapy services to our participants and their families. We put our participants and their families at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to understanding and addressing their needs.
We work with participants and their families to understand their unique needs and goals, and we develop customised therapy plans to address those needs and achieve those goals.
We regularly communicate with participants and their families to ensure that their needs are being met and to make adjustments to therapy plans as needed.
We strive to provide high-quality therapy services that are delivered with respect, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
We maintain clear and transparent communication with participants and their families regarding therapy plans, progress, and any changes to services.
We empower our therapists by providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities to ensure they have the knowledge and skills needed to provide the best possible therapy services.
We invest in our therapists by providing a supportive and respectful workplace that promotes collaboration and teamwork.
We maintain a safe, inclusive, and welcoming workplace that respects the dignity and worth of all individuals.
We are committed to continuous improvement and innovation, and we strive to stay up-to-date on the latest research and best practices in childhood therapy.
At SLCN, we are committed to providing high-quality therapy services to our participants and their families, and we are dedicated to making a positive impact in their lives.
We work together to deliver quality outcomes
WE
Collaborate to work as one for better outcomes
Build inclusive and respectful relationships
Communicate honestly, clearly, proactively and consistently
Acknowledge and celebrate our successes.
At SLCN, we recognize the importance of collaborative efforts and respectful relationships in achieving quality outcomes for our participants and their families. Our "We Grow Together" policy outlines our commitment to working together as a team to deliver the best possible support and services.
We understand that collaboration is key to achieving positive outcomes for our participants. We encourage teamwork, active listening, and shared decision-making among our team members, participants, and families. We work together to ensure that all voices are heard and respected, and we leverage our collective expertise to address challenges and identify opportunities for growth.
We value diversity and recognize that each person is unique. We are committed to fostering inclusive and respectful relationships with our participants, their families, and our team members. We strive to create a welcoming and safe environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported.
We prioritise clear, proactive, and consistent communication with our participants and their families. We understand that effective communication is critical to building trust and fostering positive relationships. We provide timely and accurate information about our services, policies, and procedures. We encourage open and honest dialogue and actively seek feedback to continuously improve our practices.
We celebrate our successes and acknowledge the contributions of our participants, their families, and our team members. We recognize that our accomplishments are the result of shared efforts and collective achievements. We take pride in our workplace and the work that we do, and we aim to create a positive and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.
At SLCN, we are committed to growing together to achieve quality outcomes for our participants and their families. We value collaboration, inclusive and respectful relationships, effective communication, and celebrating our successes. Our "We Grow Together" policy reflects our commitment to working as a team and providing the best possible support and services.
We are resilient and always have the courage to do better
WE
Look for solutions and are determined to improve
Proactively look for, reflect and act on feedback
Commit to setting and achieving measurable goals
Speak up when corrective action is needed.
SLCN is committed to continuously improving the quality of services we provide to our participants and their families. We aim to provide services that are person-centred, evidence-based and promote positive outcomes. We believe in a culture of continuous improvement and are determined to achieve measurable goals through collaboration, innovation and resilience.
Continuously improve the quality of services provided to participants and their families.
Ensure that services provided are person-centred, evidence-based and promote positive outcomes.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement through collaboration, innovation, and resilience.
Set and achieve measurable goals that align with our vision and mission.
Proactively seek, reflect, and act on feedback from participants, families, and stakeholders.
Speak up when corrective action is needed to improve our services.
Continuously improve the quality of services provided to participants and their families.
Ensure that services provided are person-centred, evidence-based and promote positive outcomes.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement through collaboration, innovation, and resilience.
Set and achieve measurable goals that align with our vision and mission.
Proactively seek, reflect, and act on feedback from participants, families, and stakeholders.
Speak up when corrective action is needed to improve our services.
Using evidence-based practices to provide high-quality services.
Regularly reviewing our processes and procedures to identify areas for improvement.
Implementing changes that lead to improved service delivery and better outcomes for participants and their families.
Tracking and measuring the effectiveness of the changes made and making adjustments as necessary.
Regularly reporting on our progress and achievements to stakeholders.
Taking a holistic approach to service delivery that considers the unique needs, goals, and strengths of each participant and their family.
Using evidence-based practices that are proven to be effective.
Using outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the services provided and making adjustments as necessary.
Ensuring that services are delivered in a culturally safe and respectful manner.
SLCN believes in a culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience. We will do this by:
Working together as a team to achieve our goals and objectives.
Fostering an environment that encourages innovation and creativity.
Being open to new ideas and approaches.
Encouraging team members to take calculated risks to improve service delivery and outcomes.
Being resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks.
SLCN is committed to setting and achieving measurable goals that align with our vision and mission. We will do this by:
Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals.
Fostering an environment that encourages innovation and creativity.
Regularly reviewing progress towards our goals.
Encouraging team members to take calculated risks to improve service delivery and outcomes.
Adjusting our strategies and approaches as necessary to ensure that we achieve our goals.
SLCN is committed to seeking, reflecting, and acting on feedback from participants, families, and stakeholders. We will do this by:
Providing opportunities for participants and families to provide feedback on the services provided.
Regularly surveying our stakeholders to obtain feedback on our services.
Reflecting on feedback received and making adjustments as necessary.
Reporting on feedback received and the actions taken to address it.
SLCN is committed to speaking up when corrective action is needed to improve our services. We will do this by:
Encouraging team members to report any concerns or issues that may impact the quality of our services.
Investigating and addressing any concerns or issues that are reported.
Reporting on any corrective actions taken to address concerns or issues.
We own what we do and we do the right thing
WE
Take responsibility for what we do and how we behave
Look after the safety, health and well-being of ourselves and others
Commit to setting and achieving measurable goals
Deliver our work to a high standard.
Anticipate and raise risks and take appropriate action
SLCN is committed to taking care of our team members, participants, and their families. We recognize the importance of providing a safe and healthy environment for everyone and ensuring we act responsibly in all aspects of our work.
We will take responsibility for our actions and behaviour by ensuring that we provide high-quality services that promote safety, health, and well-being. We will act with integrity and professionalism, adhering to all relevant regulations and standards. We commit to the following:
Responsibility: We will take responsibility for our actions and behaviour, taking ownership of any mistakes or oversights, and taking steps to prevent recurrence. We will hold ourselves accountable for our work and follow ethical principles in all aspects of our work.
Safety: We will take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and health of our team members, participants, and their families. We will identify and manage risks and take appropriate action to prevent incidents or accidents. We will maintain a safe and healthy workplace environment.
Risk Management: We will anticipate and raise risks and take appropriate action to mitigate them. We will ensure that our team members are trained to identify and manage risks and to take appropriate action when necessary.
Quality: We will deliver our work to a high standard, ensuring that we meet all relevant regulations and standards. We will monitor and review our services to identify opportunities for improvement, and we will take corrective action as necessary.
This policy will be implemented through:
Training: Team member members will receive training in safety and risk management, including identifying and managing risks and taking appropriate action to prevent incidents or accidents.
Processes and Procedures: We will develop and implement processes and procedures to ensure that we meet all relevant regulations and standards, including those related to safety, risk management, and quality.
Communication: We will communicate this policy to all team members, participants, and their families, and we will encourage feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Monitoring and Review: We will monitor and review our performance regularly to identify areas for improvement and take corrective action as necessary.
We will take care of our team members, participants, and their families by ensuring that we act responsibly and provide high-quality services that promote safety, health, and well-being. We will adhere to all relevant regulations and standards and monitor and review our services regularly to identify opportunities for improvement.
