Our Services
Key Worker Service
Coordinated, family-centred support to help your child thrive across everyday routines with a single primary therapist.
At Inner West Paediatrics, we recognise that every child’s journey is different, and getting started can feel overwhelming.
A Key Worker (or a Lead Practitioner) aims to be your central touch-point for therapy – one person to help set and achieve your goals across multiple areas of your life. We might work on communication at home, help your child participate at childcare, and give ideas to teachers, all through one main therapist. Your Key Worker can help coordinate care between multiple therapists. If your child needs direct support from other therapists, we’ll bring them in as needed so you don’t have multiple appointments.
How our Key Workers can help
Our Key Workers are allied health professionals with experience working in multidisciplinary teams, collaborating with colleagues across Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Physiotherapy and more. Our experience working as a team means we can draw on skills and knowledge across different practice areas to support you best.
Your Key Worker can support your child wherever they spend time, including:
- In your home
- At childcare
- At school
- In the community
- Through TeleKids (online)
- In our clinic
What your Key Worker supports you with:
- Goal setting together
- Coaching you in your everyday routines
- Helping your child participate at home, childcare, school, or in the community
- Coordinating with the rest of the team on your behalf
- Linking you with community supports (playgroups, funding, equipment)
- Monitoring progress and adjusting strategies as your child grows
- Removing the need for multiple therapy appointments and coordinating support through one key contact/worker
FAQs
What is a Lead Practitioner or Key Worker?
A Key Worker (sometimes called a Lead Practitioner) is your family’s main therapist. We become your central point of contact and support your child across all areas of development. We help:
- set meaningful goals
- support daily routines
- communicate with childcare, school and other professionals
- coordinate the rest of your therapy team
You have one main therapist who knows your child well, and the rest of our team supports them behind the scenes.
How does my Key Worker work with the rest of the team?
Your Key Worker meets with colleagues in other disciplines to consult across goal areas, plan and problem-solve together. If you need more specialised support, such as toileting intervention, feeding and swallowing, an AAC device or equipment prescription, we will bring in another therapist as needed.
What does therapy look like with a Key Worker?
We provide coaching through routines-based intervention models, to empower you to support your child across the week. We’ll help you weave strategies into daily life. We provide intervention across multiple activities, such as play, mealtimes, getting dressed, going to childcare or school, and visiting the park or shops. You are recognised as the expert on your child, and our role is to help you problem-solve where you need support most.
Who is this model best for?
- Families wanting fewer appointments
- Children whose goals cover everyday routines
- Families who prefer a single, trusted therapist
- Children aged 0–9 with developmental concerns, delays or disabilities
- Families seeking consistent strategies across home, childcare and school
How is a Key Worker different from having separate therapists?
Your child won’t miss out on specialist support — you still have access to our whole team. The Lead Practitioner simply helps coordinate everything so it’s easier and less overwhelming.
Under the Key Worker model, you will have:
- One main therapist
- Team support behind the scenes
- Consistent strategies
- Fewer appointments and fewer costs
- Evidence-based approach recommended in Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) best practice
Will we still see other therapists sometimes?
You can still see other therapists for specific support as needed or by request (for example feeding assessments, equipment, AAC, psychology). Your Key Worker will organise sessions with the right therapist. We tailor the team around your child’s needs.
How often will we see our Key Worker?
Session frequency depends on your child’s needs, your family’s routines, and your goals. We’ll decide this together during your first appointments, using an evidence-based approach recommended in the National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention.
What happens as my child grows or their needs change?
Your Key Worker reviews goals with you regularly and adjusts support as your child’s needs change. If your child’s goals shift into an area that needs specialised support, we’ll bring in the right team member or may suggest moving into another service delivery model.
Is my child eligible to have a Key Worker?
Most children aged 0–9 with developmental concerns, delays or disabilities can use the Key Worker model. We’ll talk with you during intake to decide whether this model is the best fit for your child’s needs and your family.
