Why partnerships with families and children matter more than ever
Shari Stewart | August 2025
Read more from the Reflections on Relational Practice blog series:
- 'Hard to reach' families or difficult to access services?
- What is relational practice and why is it important?
- Listening to speak or listening to understand?
- Understanding the broader context of individual families
- How our interpretation of experiences might get in the way of helping families
- Building and sustaining effective relationships: why first meetings matter
- Listening beyond words: what children's behaviour is trying to tell us
- Difficult conversations: when care meets courage
- Summarising: creating connection and empowering speakers
- Why partnerships with families and children matter more than ever
- Humility in professional practice
- Building trust: turning small moments into lasting connections
Last year, I sat across from a parent, trying to explain my concerns about their child’s speech development. They crossed their arms, eyes narrowing. “There’s nothing wrong with my child,” they said firmly. The room felt heavy. I knew we both wanted what was best, but in that moment, we were on opposite sides of an invisible wall.
Moments like this stay with you.
Maybe it’s the family who stops coming to appointments after you raise a concern, or a parent who seems distracted and disengaged because they’re overwhelmed with other pressures. It could be cultural or language differences that leave you both feeling like you’re speaking, but not truly connecting.
Building trust
Partnerships with families are powerful – they can transform outcomes for children – but they’re not always easy. It takes skill, empathy, and the right strategies to work through the challenging moments without damaging trust.
But partnership doesn’t stop there. Children themselves are experts in their own lives, and working with them – not just for them – is equally important.
Think about a child who is reluctant to participate in therapy or learning activities. Maybe they feel scared, misunderstood, or simply want their voice heard. Or a child with complex needs who struggles to communicate, leaving professionals unsure how to include them meaningfully in decisions about their care.
Building trust and connection with children requires patience and creativity, and an openness to listen beyond words through behaviour, play, or art. When children feel respected and involved, they’re more likely to engage, learn, and thrive.
That’s exactly what Working in Partnership with Families is designed to help with. In this interactive two-part program, you’ll explore practical ways to navigate tricky conversations, build shared understanding, and create relationships that empower families and children alike — supporting their health, learning, and wellbeing.
Because the stronger the connection between professionals, families, and children, the better we can support the children we all care about.
Upcoming workshop
Working in Partnership with Families will equip you to identify and use strategies that support a partnership approach within and across family services.
Join us and gain the tools to turn those difficult moments into opportunities for collaboration and change.
Dates: 4 and 11 December
Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm AEST
Location: Online
About the author
Shari recently joined the Education and Learning team and is passionate about supporting professionals who work with children. She is dedicated to helping them deepen their understanding of how strong, healthy relationships between children and adults foster growth, connection, and wellbeing - for everyone involved.