Hello and welcome to Barwon Kids,
Geelong’s newest paediatric therapy service to support your child's development and continence journey.
About Us
Barwon Kids was established by physiotherapists Phoebe and Sarah, who share a deep commitment to delivering exceptional care for children and their families. By blending their distinct skill sets, Sarah and Phoebe have created a welcoming and inclusive service tailored to the unique needs of every child.
Developmental Physiotherapy
Pelvic Health (Continence) Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Barwon Kids is committed to supporting children and their families to reach their greatest potential and improve their quality of life.
Meet Our Team
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Phoebe Steinfort
Paediatric Physiotherapist
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Sarah Henderson
Paediatric Continence/ Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
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Nicole McGrath
Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Continence/Pelvic Health Physiotherapy
A Paediatric Continence Physiotherapist plays a vital role in supporting children and their families facing continence challenges and pelvic health concerns.
Our dedicated pelvic health/continence Physiotherapist, Sarah, is specialised in the assessment and management of a variety of conditions, including:
Constipation
Faecal incontinence (encopresis)
Difficulty toilet training
Toilet refusal
Day wetting
Urinary urgency & frequency
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Bedwetting
Pelvic Pain
We take a holistic approach, working closely with children and families to develop individualised treatment plans that promote physical, emotional and social well-being.
Through education, support and targeted interventions, we empower kids to overcome their challenges, build confidence, and improve their quality of life.
With a focus on creating a safe and welcoming environment, Sarah helps children and families navigate the complexities of continence concerns with empathy and expertise.
Developmental Physiotherapy
Developmental physiotherapy focuses on enhancing the physical development of infants, children, and adolescents through tailored interventions.
This specialised therapy is beneficial for addressing a wide range of conditions, including
developmental delays,
physical disabilities,
orthopaedic concerns such as plagiocephaly/torticollis, and
post-surgical recovery.
By employing play-based techniques and engaging exercises, developmental physiotherapy can help children improve their:
strength,
coordination,
fitness, and
overall physical function.
This approach not only supports the acquisition of essential movement skills but also promotes confidence and independence in daily activities. With a strong emphasis on family involvement, developmental physiotherapy empowers caregivers with knowledge and strategies to foster their child’s growth and well-being.
If appropriate, our Paediatric physiotherapist can also assist with:
NDIS
Assistive technology including complex seating, mobility aides, splinting
Paediatric Occupational Therapy
Paediatric Occupational Therapy supports children and young people to develop the skills they need for everyday life. They use play-based and evidence-informed strategies to support children with developmental delays, fine and gross motor difficulties, and more.
By focusing on a child’s strengths and goals, paediatric occupational therapists help build confidence, independence, and meaningful engagement in the activities that matter most.
Our Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Nicole, specialises in the following areas:
Intensive therapy blocks (goal based therapy)
Intensive blocks give you and your child the chance to focus on a specific goal together. Each block is designed around what works best for your child’s unique needs and your family’s priorities.
Nicole draws from the following intervention approaches as relevant to the child and their goals;
Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT)
Bimanual therapy (BIT)
Goal directed therapy
Bobath/neurodevelopmental treatment
Inclusion services
Home and community visits form a large part of paediatric occupational therapy services. This allows assistance and support in all environments of daily functioning, as well as working with the important people in the child’s life.
Equipment prescription
Having access to appropriate assistive equipment is a vital aspect of supporting children with physical disabilities. This aims to enhance mobility, independence, and overall quality of life.
This process involves the assessment of a child’s specific needs, abilities, and environment to identify the most appropriate assistive devices, as well as liaising with equipment suppliers to trial, apply, and deliver the equipment in a timely manner. Commonly prescribed equipment includes wheelchairs, adaptive seating solutions, home modifications, beds, car seats, kitchen aids; all designed to enhance participation in daily activities.
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