A $1.2 million multi-year partnership extension between Royal Far West (RFW) and Glencore Coal will significantly improve access to developmental health services for children and families in five rural and remote communities across Queensland and New South Wales.
In 2017, Glencore identified a crucial gap in the availability of paediatric allied health resources, particularly in speech pathology and occupational therapy, in the rural communities of Springsure, Clermont and Collinsville near its coal operations.
This led to a collaboration with RFW to develop a program aimed at transforming the lives of children grappling with early language and developmental issues.
The program offers free developmental health screenings for young children across three kindergartens in Collinsville, Clermont and Springsure. Through these screenings, RFW clinicians can identify early signs of developmental difficulties and provide extra support to children in need.
Astonishingly, one in five children across Australia enter the school system with developmental challenges. This initiative is all about early detection and prevention to ensure that every child enters the school classroom ready to learn and thrive.
The impact doesn’t conclude with a single visit. The program combines face-to-face engagement with telehealth consultation to ensure a sustainable approach for rural families. Additional assistance is given to identified children, offering speech or occupational therapy as they transition to primary school.
The $1.2 million multi-year partnership extension over the next three years will continue supporting children aged three to five in the Queensland communities of Collinsville, Clermont and Springsure, and introduce the proven service to the New South Wales towns of Gulgong and Dunedoo.
RFW CEO Jacqui Emery said children from these areas often face significant barriers to accessing timely and specialised health services.
“We know that early intervention can change the trajectory of a child’s life,” Jacqui said.
“This partnership with Glencore allows us to reach children who might otherwise miss out on the support they need to thrive at school and in life.”
And the stakes are high; a solid foundation of healthy development isn’t just beneficial – it’s essential in shaping a child’s education and life prospects.
The comprehensive service includes annual intensive in-community support visits for each community with consistent weekly telehealth support between visits. Delivered by a multidisciplinary allied health team, the program includes consultations with parents and carers, developmental screenings, assessments and therapy for children, and professional development for early childhood educators.
Glencore’s Social Performance Manager, Craig Strudwick, said the company is proud to support the health and wellbeing of children in the communities where it operates.
“We’re committed to making a positive impact in our operational communities,” he said.
“This partnership is a meaningful way to support families and educators, and to help ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
