Xavier Children's Support Network

15/10/2025

🌟 Spotlight on Developmental Milestones 🌟

Children grow and learn at their own pace but sometimes a child may take a little longer to reach certain milestones. This can be part of a developmental delay, and early support makes a big difference.

Children’s Week is a reminder to celebrate every child’s strengths while also being aware of the signs that a child might need extra help.

The Children’s Week tip sheets and activity guides include practical ideas to support all children, including those with developmental delays:

👉 https://childrensweek.org.au/resources/activities-tip-sheets

12/10/2025

💛 It’s National Carers Week (12–18 October) 💛

This National Carers Week we celebrate and thank Australia’s incredible 3 million unpaid carers.

At Xavier, we see your dedication every day through the small moments, the big challenges, and everything in between. Your care means the world. Thank you for all that you do. 💜

🌼Discover events, stories and resources for carers and families: https://carersweek.com.au/

Carers Australia Carers Queensland

09/10/2025

💛 Children’s Week (coming up 18-26 October) is a time to celebrate all children — and to make sure every child feels supported and included, no matter how they grow or learn.

For children with developmental delays or disability, small adjustments can make a big difference. A few ways to create more inclusive celebrations include:

📝Using visual supports or picture schedules for structure
😌Offering quiet zones or calming spaces for those who may feel overwhelmed
🖍Providing multiple ways to participate — drawing, movement, hands-on play or speaking
💙Being patient and flexible so all children can join in

The Children’s Week Activities & Tip Sheets page is a great place to find ideas, resources and practical guides to help make this possible:

🔗https://childrensweek.org.au/resources/activities-tip-sheets

08/10/2025

🌟 Introducing Xavier Place Day Stay!

Looking for a little time to rest, recharge or reconnect? Families now have even more choice with our new Day Stay option at Xavier Place, Yeerongpilly — a flexible, NDIS-funded short-term support designed to give families time to rest, reconnect or recharge. 💜

✨ Support between 9am and 11pm for up to 10 hours
✨ A safe, welcoming space for children and young people with complex care needs
✨ Fun, social and skill-building activities with friends and peers
✨ The chance for parents and carers to take time for themselves, knowing their child is supported and cared for

As one Xavier mum shared: “It was such a joy to spend time together with my partner knowing our son was safe, cared for and happy – because he loves going to Xavier Place.”

📩 Learn more or book: intake@xavier.org.au

02/10/2025

🌟 We’re hiring! 🌟

Xavier is looking for passionate Dietitians to join our team in Brisbane. Help us support children, young people and adults with disability and complex health needs — and make a real difference every day.

✅ Flexible, family-friendly work
✅ Professional development & mentoring
✅ Supportive, purpose-driven team

Find out more and apply here 👉

Work in the home, community and at our clinics with children, young people and older adults with complex disabilities and health needs.

30/09/2025

🎨 The Art of Belonging at Xavier Place 💜

Since opening in 2019, Xavier Place has been shaped by the voices, creativity and individuality of the children and young people who stay here.

Vibrant artwork from our art therapy sessions tells stories of passion, friendship and belonging. Each piece adds character and reflects the unique personalities of our guests.

👉 Explore how art is transforming Xavier Place into a gallery of stories, identity and connection here:

https://xavier.org.au/resources/news/2025/september/304/the_art_of_belonging

25/09/2025

🐨💜 A day of fun and furry (and feathered) friends!

Recently, Marcus headed off to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary with Registered Nurse Ellie! Using his iPad to share his thoughts, Marcus described the day as “fun and happy.” He thought the animals were “cute” and even found it “funny” when an emu gave them a cheeky chase (Ellie wasn’t so sure 😅).

Moments like these are what it’s all about: connection, laughter and new experiences that create lasting memories. 💜

❤️

24/09/2025

🌟 Free support program for parents 🌟

At Xavier, as Queensland’s peak body for children with developmental delay, we’re always looking for resources that make a real difference for families. That’s why we’re excited to share PACT Online – a free, 12-week parenting support program developed by The University of Queensland.

💡 What is PACT Online?
A flexible, online, 12-week program designed especially for parents of children aged 0–10 years with developmental delays or neurodevelopmental disability. You’ll complete self-paced modules and have regular check-ins with a qualified clinician via Zoom.

✨ Why families love it:
✔️ Based on Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
✔️ Practical strategies to support your wellbeing and family life
✔️ Designed around real-life routines and parent feedback
✔️ 100% free as part of the current research trial

📲 Learn more and register here:
👉

We are looking for families of children (0-10 years old) diagnosed with any neurodevelopmental disability (including autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, FASD etc.) or developmental delay to take part in the trial of an online parenting support program PACT Online.

18/09/2025

🎨 Art Therapy in Action!

Slime is more than just fun! Using slime in a recent art therapy session, Tate worked towards key goals like self-regulation and sequential planning, developing skills such as organising materials and pacing himself through a task.

When Art Therapist Charlie threw in a “challenge” adding too much of one slime ingredient, Tate stayed calm, used his problem-solving skills and fixed the slime independently while exclaiming, “silly Charlie, we can fix it!”

Go Tate! 💚

17/09/2025

As Queensland’s peak body for children with developmental delay, we know that families are always looking for practical ways to support their child’s growth and learning.

Play and Learn Together is a free, research-based resource designed to help parents create meaningful play experiences at home to support children’s development across areas such as communication, problem-solving, creativity and social skills.

https://www.playandlearntogether.com.au/

16/09/2025

You may have heard that Centacare, an agency of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, is transitioning away from NDIS services. Like Centacare, Xavier is also an agency of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, however this change does not impact Xavier services.

We will continue providing high-quality NDIS supports to our children and young people, as usual, through our allied health, community and in-home support services, nursing and respite at Xavier Place.

Where we can, we will also support Centacare teams and clients to help during this transition.

12/09/2025

Yesterday, the Archdiocese of Brisbane welcomed a new chapter with the installation of Archbishop Shane Mackinlay as its eighth Archbishop.

At Xavier, we are proud to be part of the Archdiocese. We look forward to supporting Archbishop Mackinlay as he honours the inspiring legacy of Archbishop Emeritus Mark Coleridge to lead and strengthen connections across our community.

Join us in welcoming Archbishop Shane.

ARCHBISHOP Shane Mackinlay has been welcomed by the people of Brisbane at his installation Mass at St Stephen’s Cathedral today. He becomes the eighth leader of Brisbane archdiocese. “While I come from somewhere else, I don’t come as an outsider,” Archbishop Mackinlay said in his homily. “...