Building More Inclusive Environments for Children and Families

Human service practitioners across the Gladstone Region are strengthening their collective capacity to create more inclusive environments where children, young people and families can experience belonging, participation and wellbeing. In August, 30 practitioners from across the Gladstone Region participated in the Sector Capacity Building Initiative's Neurodiversity Awareness and Inclusive Practice Training, building knowledge, confidence and practical strategies that can be applied across services and community settings.

The training, facilitated by psychologist, researcher and Social Stencil founder, Dr Connie Buckingham, responded to priorities identified by the local human services sector. Participants invested time in exploring how greater understanding of neurodiversity can strengthen professional practice and support more inclusive experiences for children, young people and families.

The environments children experience every day, at home, at school, within services and across the broader community, play an important role in shaping their sense of safety, belonging and ability to thrive. Throughout the workshop, participants considered practical ways services, environments and relationships can adapt to better support the diverse ways people think, learn, communicate and experience the world. This strengths-based approach encouraged participants to look beyond individual differences and consider how the systems and environments surrounding children and families influence inclusion and participation.

Participants explored practical frameworks and evidence-informed approaches that support emotional safety, wellbeing and belonging. Attendees particularly valued tools that could be immediately applied in practice, including Social Stencil's relationship-based frameworks, problem-solving approaches, friendship styles, the Drama Triangle and the Double Empathy Theory.

The Double Empathy Theory encourages a shift away from viewing communication challenges as deficits within an individual. Instead, it recognises that misunderstandings can occur when people with different experiences of the world struggle to understand one another. This perspective highlights that empathy and understanding are a shared responsibility, reinforcing the importance of creating environments and relationships that support curiosity, connection and mutual understanding.

A consistent theme across participant feedback was the value of viewing neurodiversity through a different lens. Participants reflected on a deeper understanding of neurodiversity and neuroaffirming practice, while also considering how long-held assumptions about behaviour, diagnosis and support can influence experiences for children and families.

One workshop participant shared, "I am leaving able to view things with a different lens and support the children in a more informed way to support their needs."

Participants also identified practical opportunities to strengthen inclusion within their own settings. For many, this involved reflecting on how physical spaces, communication approaches and organisational systems can either support or limit a person's sense of belonging. The practical focus of the training encouraged participants to consider immediate actions that could help remove barriers to participation and strengthen relationships with children, young people and families.

The workshop also highlighted the importance of moving from awareness to action. Participants identified opportunities to embed neuroaffirming practices within their services, share learning across teams and contribute to more inclusive approaches across the broader community. This collective commitment reflects a growing recognition that inclusion is strengthened when organisations, practitioners and communities work together to create environments that respond to diverse needs and experiences.

Feedback demonstrated strong interest in continued professional development, practical resources and ongoing conversations about inclusion, wellbeing and belonging. Participants also identified opportunities for further learning in related areas, including trauma-informed practice, conflict resolution and nervous system awareness.

By building knowledge, confidence and practical capability across the local human services sector, practitioners are better equipped to create environments where children, young people and families feel safe, connected and supported to thrive. These collective efforts contribute to a stronger community where every child has the opportunity to participate, belong and reach their potential.

This training was delivered through the Sector Capacity Building Initiative, made possible through a community partnership with Rio Tinto Here for Gladstone. The initiative responds directly to training priorities identified by the local human services sector, supporting workforce capability and strengthening collective efforts to improve outcomes for children and families across the Gladstone Region.

To learn more about the Sector Capacity Building initiative, visit the Together in Learning page on the GRT website: https://www.gladstoneregiontogether.org.au/our-parents-have-access-to-supports/sector-capacity-building-initiative