Malvern
When can a paediatric physio help?
Early childhood key worker
What is a Key Worker?
A Key Worker is an early childhood professional who works alongside children, families and educators to support children's development, participation and wellbeing.
Key Workers provide early intervention in everyday environments such as home, childcare, kinder or school, helping children work towards their individual developmental goals while building the confidence and skills of the adults around them.
A Key Worker may be especially valuable when you are asking:
“What can we do together, every day, to help my child develop and participate?”
A Key Worker does not replace specialist professionals when your child needs specific assessment or intervention. Instead, they can work alongside your child’s broader support team, helping everyone work towards shared developmental goals.
Our Key Worker, Gaby Heinz, has dedicated her career to supporting families of children with disabilities. With a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and postgraduate qualifications in trauma-informed care and child safe standards, Gaby combines expertise with a compassionate, evidence-based approach.
How do I know if a Key Worker is best for my child’s care?
A Key Worker may be a good fit for your family if your child is young and you want one trusted professional to help coordinate and support their development across everyday environments.
A Key Worker can be particularly helpful when:
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You want a coordinated approach — rather than receiving advice from several professionals separately, you want someone who can help bring your child’s goals and strategies together where there is consultative specialist input from other healthcare professionals.
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You want support in everyday routines — strategies can be embedded into play, mealtimes, dressing, getting out of the house, childcare, kindergarten and other meaningful activities.
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You want to build your own confidence and skills — a Key Worker works alongside parents and caregivers, modelling strategies and helping you understand how to support your child’s development.
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Your child has several developmental goals — a Key Worker can help prioritise goals and support progress across communication, social participation, play, learning, movement, independence and emotional regulation.
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You want support that follows your child’s interests and strengths — intervention is individualised and built around what is meaningful to your child and family.
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You want educators involved — a Key Worker can collaborate with your child’s early childhood educators and other people in their life so that strategies are consistent across settings.
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You are looking for early intervention that fits into family life — rather than adding more appointments to an already busy schedule, support can be incorporated into the routines and activities you are already doing.