Stronger Seeds, Taller Trees Archives | South Western Sydney PHN

28 October 2026

Parents may experience mental health challenges for a range of reasons, including past trauma, existing mental health conditions and the pressures of parenting.

These challenges can affect the wellbeing of the whole family, including children’s emotional, social and long-term mental health.

As trusted first points of contact, GPs play an important role in recognising when children may be affected by parental mental health challenges. They can provide age-appropriate information and support, identify children’s needs and connect families with relevant services.

Useful resources:

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.

13 October 2026

When discussing early childhood concerns and referrals, it is important to ensure the parents or other primary carers fully comprehend the condition and steps needed for follow up.

Clinicians must identify the health literacy level of the parents/carers and align their communication to meet them. Health literacy refers to a person’s or a community’s ability to find, understand and use information to make decisions about their health.

For people who are not fluent in English, officially translated materials may help; however, its efficacy cannot be assumed and must be checked, for example by a teach-back technique. Translated materials are ineffective for people who are illiterate in their native language.

Health literacy is linked to the family’s immediate social networks. Correct health information may be affected in practice by the social environment. Regular reviews of the application of the information in follow up encounters would help to ascertain good practice and identify any question.

Useful resources:

See all resources here

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.

22 September 2026

GPs can support culturally safe perinatal care by asking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women what strengthens their wellbeing, including connections to Country, culture, kinship and community.

You should offer continuity, choice of clinician, involvement of an Aboriginal health worker or practitioner, and warm referral to an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service or Birthing on Country service where available.

Ask who they want involved and whether any cultural practices around pregnancy, birth or the placenta should be respected. Address transport, housing, food and safety alongside clinical care.

Recognise experiences of colonisation, racism and previous experiences of unsafe care may affect engagement with formal screening and do not rely on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale alone.

Respectful, patient-led yarning can better explore strengths, concerns and social and emotional wellbeing. Continue proactive maternal and infant follow-up after birth.

Resources and support:

Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents

Replanting the Birthing Trees

Supporting Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Maternal Health

The Kimberley Mum’s Mood Scale

Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Services Map

Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.

08 September 2026

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term which refers to a group of disorders affecting body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance.

It is a permanent life-long condition but generally does not worsen over time. People who have cerebral palsy may also have visual, learning, hearing, speech, epilepsy and intellectual impairments.

Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy include:

low muscle tone
unable to hold up his/her own head while lying on their stomach or in a supported sitting position
muscle spasms or feeling stiff
poor muscle control, reflexes and posture
delayed development
feeding or swallowing difficulties
a preference for one side of their body

There are 50 million people with cerebral palsy around the world. The Cerebral Palsy Alliance would like people with this permanent neurological condition to have access to support based on the best and latest knowledge.

Here are some useful resources:

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 8 September 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.

25 August 2026

Social-emotional skills are important for children’s health and wellbeing from the early years to adulthood at home, school, work and everyday life.

Young children are still developing parts of the brain which help understand and manage strong emotions and feelings. Children often use behaviour to communicate a need, feeling or emotion because they do not yet have the words, understanding or skills to manage them in other ways.

Many factors can contribute to big feelings, behaviours and emotions, such as needing connection and comfort, frustration, tiredness, hunger, sickness, feeling overwhelmed, and changes to routine.

Parents can help with strong nurturing relationships, being responsive and engaged in parenting, and seeking support when needed. There are services in the local community which can provide emotion focussed parenting education which can help:

parents supporting their child to identify and talk about emotions
practicing turn-taking and sharing
reinforcing positive behaviour
role modelling
teaching calming strategies

More information and support

Learn more about children’s social and emotional development, understanding emotions and responding to behaviour:

Social and emotional development in preschoolers – Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
Understanding behaviour as communication – Australian Childhood Foundation
Social and emotional wellbeing – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Social-emotional learning – NSW Department of Education
Understanding and managing emotions – Raising Children Network

Parenting and family support

Parents and carers can also access support, parenting programs and family services in South Western Sydney and across NSW:

South West Sydney Family Connect and Support – Uniting
Support for children, young people and families – Mission Australia
Parenting, child and family services – CatholicCare Sydney
Child and family services – Fair Foundations
Community programs – FOCUS Connect
Village Connect – Karitane
Free telephone counselling and support for parents and carers – Parent Line NSW

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 26 August 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.

11 August 2026

Sensory processing involves registering and processing information for all our senses and using this in everyday life. Current research tells us sensory processing difficulties can and do impact a child’s daily functioning, play, emotional regulation, social participation and mental health.

When a child goes to school these issues can worsen, given the demands of the school environment and routine. For children with known or suspected autism or ADHD, sensory difficulties are much more prevalent and can have a greater impact.

Sensory difficulties can look like picky or avoidant behaviours, issues with certain types of clothing, sounds or foods. It can also look like a child seeking additional movement opportunities, having difficulties focusing or becoming upset quickly.

Parents often notice these difficulties first, so it’s important to listen as these difficulties present differently in each child.

Information and resources

Parents, carers and families can explore the following resources and services:

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 11 August 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.

21 July 2026

The first 2,000 days of life – from conception to age five – are critical for a child’s brain development, emotional wellbeing and lifelong health, with 90 per cent of brain development occurring before the age of five.

Yet parenting can also feel overwhelming and isolating. Research shows 85 per cent of parents report a moderate-to-high need for support, 42 per cent wish they had sought support sooner and one in five mothers and one in 10 fathers experience postnatal anxiety or depression.

Many parents delay seeking support due to feelings of guilt, shame or fear of judgement.

Families thrive when they are supported by a village of care around them. Connecting parents with evidence-based information and support early can strengthen parent confidence, nurture healthy child development and have lifelong benefits.

A range of face-to-face, virtual and community-based supports are available, allowing families to access care in ways which best suit their needs.

Information and resources

Parents, carers and families can explore the following resources and services:

Explore these resources to find information and support that suits you and your family.

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.

07 July 2026

GPs are often the first professionals to see families when concerns arise regarding a child’s behaviour, development, communication and/or emotional wellbeing.

Timely referrals to services can significantly improve a child’s readiness for school by addressing difficulties before they become entrenched in a child’s life.

Supports such as speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology and family-based interventions can enhance communication skills, emotional regulation, social competence and independence.

Research consistently demonstrates children who receive early support are more likely to experience positive transitions to school, engage successfully in learning and develop stronger peer relationships.

GPs play a pivotal role in recognising developmental concerns, promoting early intervention and facilitating access to appropriate services which can help ensure children commence school with the skills and confidence needed for a positive and successful educational journey.

Early intervention: where and how to refer

22 June 2026

Early intervention for Aboriginal children can make a lifelong difference to their development, wellbeing and connection to family, culture and community.

GPs play an important role in identifying developmental concerns early and supporting families to access culturally safe services.

Building trust, listening respectfully and recognising the strengths of Aboriginal families are essential to effective engagement.

Connection to culture, community and family are powerful protective factors for children’s wellbeing and development.

When concerns are identified early, referrals (with consent) to culturally responsive supports such as Aboriginal health services, speech therapy, parenting programs and family support services can improve outcomes and strengthen families.

Early support helps children thrive socially, emotionally, culturally and developmentally.

Early intervention referral resources

The following resources can help GPs identify appropriate referral pathways and culturally responsive services:

Early intervention: where and how to refer

Kari Foundation

Gandangara Health Services

Greater Western Sydney Aboriginal Health Service

AMS Redfern

South Coast Medical Service

Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 24 June 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.

09 June 2026

Concerns from childcare centres or preschools can add valuable context to developmental surveillance in general practice.

Feedback should clarify what has been observed across settings, including communication, play, peer interaction, emotional regulation, toileting, feeding or motor skills.

Educator notes or learning reports can help identify patterns and guide referral. Where helpful, seek consent to clarify concerns directly with the service.

Hearing and vision checks remain useful early steps, particularly where speech, attention or behaviour concerns are present.

If concerns persist, early referral to a paediatrician, speech pathology, occupational therapy or even Thriving Kids/NDIS early childhood support can help families access timely support.

Resources include:

Parents evaluation of developmental status

SWSLHD Child and Family Health Services

Thriving kids

NDIS early childhood pathway

Health and development checks

Early intervention: where and how to refer

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 10 June 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.