Before moving forward, let’s talk a little bit about the concept of Family-Centred Care.

Guidelines for the care of children in hospitals and NDIS early intervention services promote family-centred services.

This is because research indicates that family-centred care improves experiences and outcomes of children and their families.

Family-centred care seeks to empower carers and families to be active participants and believes that the best place for children to grow and learn is with their family.

Family-centred care, places the family, who are the people who love and care for the child, at the centre of the child’s wellbeing. The professionals in your team – they may be doctors, audiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and others, work alongside you to provide this form of care.

Their role is to support you to make the right decisions on behalf of your child, based on informed choices.

In Session 3, you learnt about the importance of building knowledge through the information gathering process. 

The people who are the principle trusted source of information are the professionals who you see in consultations and other appointments.

Building knowledge requires a two-way conversation between you and the professional where you both share information in your areas of expertise.

The professional will share information with you is based on the best available scientific evidence and their own clinical or professional expertise

You will share information based on your area of expertise, your child and family.

The professionals need to understand how your goals, preferences and financial and social commitments might impact on your decision-making.

The responsibility for this active conversation lies with both the professional and you.