Our social work service strengthens children’s social and emotional wellbeing by embedding professionally led support within everyday preschool routines. Social workers focus on the relational, emotional, behavioural and environmental factors that influence children’s participation, learning and sense of belonging in early childhood settings.

Practice is particularly informed by the needs of autistic and neurodivergent children, while remaining developmentally appropriate for all children aged 3–5 years and aligned with typical social and emotional development in the preschool years. Support is delivered through in?context modelling, reflective practice, educator coaching and collaborative problem?solving, ensuring strategies are practical, inclusive and sustainable.

The service builds educator confidence in relationship?based, trauma?informed and family?centred approaches, with a strong emphasis on emotional safety, consistency and inclusion. Social workers also support partnerships between educators and families, promoting shared understanding of children’s needs and consistent approaches across home and early learning environments.

By strengthening relationships, emotional regulation supports and inclusive practice, social work contributes to reduced developmental vulnerability and improved outcomes across key areas of social competence, emotional maturity and wellbeing.

Find out more: https://autismsa.org.au/supports-services/social-work-help-supporting-your-goals/

Expected outcomes for social work support include:

• Improved emotional wellbeing for children and sense of safety, belonging and participation
• Reduced distress?based behaviours through trauma?informed, relationship?based support
• Stronger educator confidence in responding to social and emotional needs
• Improved collaboration and consistency between families and early learning settings

These supports will be co-designed with you and your centre to be delivered at a frequency that meets the needs of your service.

This support is charged at $193.99 per hour, with travel being charged in addition to this. Only time spent travelling to the ECEC service will be charged. Therapist schedules are designed to have minimal travel time between sites to represent value for money for the ECEC/client where possible. All costs listed are exclusive of GST.