Stronger Seeds, Taller Trees Archives | South Western Sydney PHN

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.

26 May 2026

Rainbow parents and carers manage early childhood health and development like other families, but may face stigma, exclusion or assumptions in healthcare.

Some report not being recognised as parents, intrusive questions, or needing to educate practitioners about sexuality and gender identity.

GP teams can make care welcoming through inclusive forms, competency with LGBTQIA+ terminology and visual inclusion cues. Build trust by letting families lead and asking open questions.

Don’t presume: ask, “Who is in your child’s family?”, and recognise non-birthing, non-biological, separated, kinship and foster carers. Avoid questions about family formation unless clinically relevant. Ask and listen to how parents describe gender identity and pronouns, roles/responsibilities and family composition.

Listen, affirm and validate parental concerns. Connect families with affirming supports or early-intervention pathways.

Resources to support inclusive care for rainbow families

Collation of LGBTQIA+ parents and carers: inclusive resources for clinicians

Wellbeing support for LGBTIQA+ parents

Inclusive communication

Practical guide for GP supervisors, registrars and practice teams

Rainbow Health Australia

TransHub clinician resources

What parents say about good GP care for transgender children

Medical Curriculum Guide

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 27 May 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.

12 May 2026

Refugee Week is an annual national celebration promoting greater awareness of refugees, the issues they face and the contributions they make to the Australian community. This year it takes place from 14 to 20 June.

Refugee Week events and activities aim to foster connection, understanding and celebration. It also highlights various important aspects of healthcare for patients from refugee backgrounds in South Western Sydney, which receives the highest number of refugees in NSW.

Issues include:

trauma-informed culturally safe care and the complex physical and mental health needs of this population, which often stem from trauma, interrupted care or resettlement challenges
common barriers to healthcare, including language difficulties, lack of cultural awareness, financial constraints and complex navigation of health systems
social determinants of health including housing, employment, education, visa status and concerns about family and friends in their home countries
holistic and social support using community services to provide ‘wraparound’ care to support patients’ broader wellbeing

Find out more:

Refugee Week key activities and events

Refugee Health Guide NSW

NSW Refugee Health Service

Organisations in South Western Sydney supporting refugees:

NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors

Settlement Services International

Fair Foundations

Core Community Services

Early Intervention: where and how to refer

21 April 2026

Impacts of domestic and family violence (DFV) on children can be profound and long lasting impacts, affecting psychological, emotional, social, physical, educational and developmental wellbeing.

It is also the leading cause of homelessness for children.

Children experiencing DFV often have intense feelings of fear, anxiety, shame and low self-esteem and can disrupt their relationships, education and overall holistic health outcomes.

Research shows children have an articulate and coherent understanding of the violence they, their siblings and mothers experience, and can provide valuable insight into their needs and how best to support them.

A significant portion of children who have experienced DFV feel a sense of guilt as though they are to blame or there was something they should have done.

Supportive conversations with a professional which create safety and reinforce the fact they are not to blame can assist them to access recovery and intervention services as early as possible to begin building resilience and recovering from the impacts of DFV.

Useful contacts and resources:

White Ribbon Australia aims to address and prevent DFV through education, awareness-raising, creative campaigns, and preventative programs

White Ribbon Australia helplines

1800 respect.org.au is a national helpline service providing support for people experiencing DFV as well as people and professionals supporting someone experiencing DFV through online chats, video calls, and phone calls

Safe + Equal professional support resources

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More Stronger Seeds, Taller Trees articles

This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 22 April 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 April 2026

Finding the right support for neurodivergent children can feel overwhelming for many families. This page helps guide parents and carers through common challenges, the role of GPs, and where to access support and resources.

Barriers that hinder a parent in accessing support can include:

differing opinions within the immediate or extended family
stigma around mental health and behavioural issues
difficulty accessing specialist support due to cost, travel, or long waiting lists
Limited access to an interpreter or culturally appropriate support

GPs are often the first point of contact for families seeking support for neurodivergent children. They play a key role in listening to concerns, assessing early signs, and guiding families to appropriate services.

The child’s neurodiverse behaviours can sometimes be subtle, so it is vital that GPs be attentive to parent’s concerns about their child and explore details of all facets of the child and family life.

Where to refer

Accessing the right services early can improve outcomes for children and families. GPs and families can explore a range of referral pathways and supports.

Early Intervention – Where and How to Refer 2026

Navigating autism

Supporting children with neurodiversity

Early childhood approach

Guide for families

About PANDA

Take the next step

If you are concerned about your child’s development, speak with your GP. Early support can make a meaningful difference for your child and your family.