Connected Kiddos

15/02/2026

Big changes are happening in Queensland.

The Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 introduces new Child Safe Standards that all organisations working with children will be expected to meet.

These standards aren’t optional. They apply to services of all sizes — including sole traders, allied health providers, community programs and therapy practices.

Why?
Because history has shown that child harm often occurs in places that appear safe, trusted or informal. The new standards aim to ensure that child safety is not assumed — it is structured, documented and visible.

They require organisations to:
• Make professional boundaries explicit
• Create clear pathways for children and families to raise concerns
• Respond appropriately to disclosures or allegations
• Actively manage risk in physical and online environments
• Embed cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
In other words — child safety must be intentional.

At Connected Kiddos, child safety has always guided practice. Over the past few weeks I’ve formally aligned our policies with the new Queensland standards and made them publicly available on the website.

If your child attends any service, it’s reasonable to ask:
Where is your Child Safe policy?
How are concerns managed?
What safeguards are in place?

Child safety should be visible, not assumed.
Safety is not separate from connection.

https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/childsafe/standards
https://www.childsafe.org.au/child-safe-standards-queensland/
www.connectedkiddos.com.au

Queensland has introduced transformative legislation that mandates child safe standards and establishes a reportable conduct scheme.

14/02/2026

Therapy isn’t just about play.

For many families, it’s about feeling understood — having someone who can sit in the hard moments without trying to fix your child.

In the room, we focus on felt safety and co-regulation through play.

Outside the room, I’m comfortable stepping into the systems around your child — schools, NDIS, care teams — so the weight isn’t sitting only with you.

It starts with connection.

13/02/2026

Hey Queensland Families,
Have you heard of PACT Online? I hadn’t either!

We are looking for families of children (0-10 years old) diagnosed with any neurodevelopmental disability (including autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, FASD etc.) or developmental delay to take part in the trial of an online parenting support program PACT Online.

10/02/2026

Beautiful families-I know how many of you are concerned about what Thriving Kids means for your children. I get it. We are feeling it too.

To help understand what changes are coming tune into the upcoming webinar this Friday at 2:30pm QLD time.

Join this free webinar to understand what the Thriving Kids Advisory Group report means for your child and family.

03/02/2026

Hey siblings this one is for you! How cool!

Siblings Australia are excited to host our first SibWorks workshops for 2026, and this year, we’re offering something a little different.

We’re running both in-person and online SibWorks workshops for sibling children (the brothers and sisters of someone with a disability or chronic illness) aged 8–12.

SibWorks is a nationally recognised program, led by our accredited SibWorks facilitator, and provides a safe, supportive and engaging space where siblings can connect with others who truly get it.

Choose what works best for your family:
• 🧍‍♀️ In-person workshops for Adelaide-based siblings
• 💻 Online workshops for siblings nationally, who can join from home

No matter the format, every workshop is designed to support emotional wellbeing, resilience and connection.

By the end of the program, participants will:

✅ understand disability and functional challenges better
✅ feel less alone in their experiences
✅ learn healthy ways to manage tricky feelings
✅ build coping skills they can use every day
✅ feel more positive and confident in their sibling role

📋 Register here:
🧍‍♀️ In-person (Adelaide): https://bit.ly/SibWorksInPersonSchoolHolidayWorkshop
💻 Online: https://bit.ly/SibWorksOnlineTerm1

Give your sibling child the opportunity to build connections, develop new skills and have fun in a safe, nurturing space.

SibWorks facilitator training and community delivery are available through our partner organisations across Australia.

If you’re interested in becoming a provider, or if you’re planning to host upcoming SibWorks sessions in your community, please get in touch with Siblings Australia so we can support referrals and connections.

30/01/2026

Big smiles today — back at the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre.
Back for another year of play therapy with regional families every fortnight.

Huge thanks to Natalie and the team for always being so welcoming, curious, and genuinely interested in the power of play. They do an outstanding job supporting and connecting their community 👏🏻

If you’re a local family, check out the Burdekin MyTime playgroup they facilitate — such an inclusive space for parents and carers of children with delays, disabilities and medical challenges. 💗

27/01/2026

One of the unexpected perks of being a children’s therapist is receiving those precious “first day of school” photos from families. Tiny uniforms, big backpacks, brave smiles – and so much growth behind each one.

And to our older kiddos returning to school, we see you too. New classrooms, new teachers, new routines – all big things for growing nervous systems.

To every Connected Kiddo stepping into a school gate this week, whether it’s your very first day or just another brave return, we’re cheering you on. Wishing you a gentle, exciting and wonderful start to the year.

20/01/2026

Check out this awesome free 60 minute webinar!

Emerging Minds and CFCA are hosting a free webinar on Promoting wellbeing in neurodivergent families.

This session explores how supporting both parents and children can strengthen connection, understanding and everyday wellbeing.

You’ll gain:
• Insight into the strengths and challenges neurodivergent parents face
• Practical strategies to support communication and connection
• Guidance on taking a whole-family approach

🕐 1–2pm AEDT | Online (recording available)
🎓 Luke Schneider, Meg Doherty & Samantha Johnson

Our live webinar program is kicking off for 2026!

Did you know that neurodivergence often runs in families, and a growing number of parents are reporting that their child’s diagnosis led them to realise they were neurodivergent themselves?

Neurodivergent families can face unique challenges.

Hear from Dr Luke Schneider (Adelaide Child Psychology), Megan Doherty (Eli's Place Allied Health) Samantha Johnson (Coach & Late diagnosed Autistic/ADHD mother [AuDHD]) and Jacquie Lee (Emerging Minds Australia) as they discuss how you can promote wellbeing with a whole-family approach.

Join us on 11 February 2026 to kick off our live webinar program for 2026!

Register today: https://aifs.gov.au/resources/webinars/promoting-wellbeing-neurodivergent-families

20/01/2026

Families if you need affordable school supplies get in today between 10-2pm! 👏🏻

16/01/2026

Powerful words from Dr Kate Renshaw in response to Dr Sophie Scamps at the Thriving Kids Parliamentary Inquiry 👇

Play therapy supports both children’s development and their mental health.
It isn’t an “extra” – it is essential infrastructure for children with developmental vulnerabilities, disability and mental health needs.

For many children, play is their language. It’s how they connect, regulate, build skills and make sense of their world. When we invest in play-based therapy, we’re not “fixing” children – we’re strengthening the foundations that allow them to thrive.

This is the kind of evidence-based thinking our systems need.

05/01/2026

✨ Daytime Therapy Openings – Early Intervention
Connected Kiddos currently has limited availability between 9:00am–2:00pm for young children and kinder-aged children preparing for Prep 2027.

We work with children who may be experiencing:
💛 early developmental or physical differences
💛 big feelings, regulation or behavioural challenges
💛 impacts of early stress, trauma or disrupted attachment
💛 social or emotional delays
💛 difficulties with transitions, relationships or confidence

Support is relationship-based, play-centred and focused on helping children feel safe, regulated and ready to learn.

Our work supports:
• emotional regulation and behaviour
• connection and attachment
• social confidence and interaction
• early school readiness
• caregiver understanding and confidence

Therapy is play-based, attachment-informed and evidence-guided, with caregivers actively involved so strategies can be carried into everyday life.

📍 Sessions are held at our Hermit Park therapy space. For children accessing Early Intervention NDIS (self or plan-managed participants welcome).

If you’re supporting a child who has had a tricky start, medical complexity, developmental differences, or early stress — and you’re wanting support that looks beyond behaviour — this may be a good fit.

👉 To enquire, please complete the footer form on our website or email info@connectedkiddos.com.au

Places are limited (get in quick!) and available during school hours only.

16/10/2025

New job title unlocked- ‘feelings helper’ 💝

What a beautiful way to describe what we do at Connected Kiddos