Belongside Webinars

Supporting children with disability and medical needs at school can feel like balancing a lot at once. This webinar will look at how to help everyone understand what your child needs to feel safe, included, and ready to learn. Special education teacher Diana Backhouse will share practical tips for building trusting partnerships with schools, communicating openly, sharing medical information with confidence, and taking simple steps that make school life smoother for children and families. 

Individual Education Plans (IEPs) can be an important support at school, yet many families find the process unclear or inconsistent. In this webinar Kim Waldron from Early Ed joins us to share what makes an effective IEP, how the process works, how to feel more confident partnering with your child’s school and what to do if a plan is not working. 

Reasonable adjustments are the strategies and supports that help children with disability  access learning and participate at school. Yet many families are unsure what supports are available or how to ask for them. In this webinar, we’re joined by Kim Waldron from Early Ed, to explore what reasonable adjustments are, the legal and policy obligations schools must follow, and how to confidently ask for adjustments that support your child.  

When your child has complex medical needs, life can feel consumed by appointments and hospitals, leaving little space for fun moments together as a family. In this webinar we’re joined by Dr Claire Treadgold from Starlight, who will share how the Starlight Children’s Foundation supports children and families through hospital-based programs and wish granting, and how families can access these supports. 

Delivered in partnership with the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network (ECIBPN), this four-session online Conversation Series is designed to help parents navigate the primary school years and advocate for their child’s inclusion and participation. Experienced parents and therapists shared real-life examples and practical strategies on best-practice therapy in schools, understanding IEPs, building collaborative partnerships, and what to do when things aren’t working — helping families gain confidence and tools to support their child to thrive.

Delivered in partnership with the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network (ECIBPN), this four-session online Conversation Series is designed to help parents navigate early childhood education and care settings — including childcare, daycare, and preschool — and advocate for their child’s participation and inclusion. Parents, educators, and therapists shared real-life examples and practical strategies on reasonable adjustments, best-practice therapy, building collaborative partnerships, and what to do when things aren’t working — helping families build confidence and stronger relationships with their child’s early learning community.

Delivered in partnership with Siblings Australia, this five-part webinar series shone a light on the experiences, strengths, and needs of siblings when a child in the family has disability, developmental delay, medical needs, or Autism. Each session combined expert insight and lived experience with practical strategies to help families strengthen relationships, build resilience, and make space for all children’s needs. Topics included understanding the sibling experience, relationships and resilience, the sibling role, school and community connections, and support in medically complex families.

Delivered by Belongside Families in partnership with Genetic Alliance Australia, this four-part webinar series shares insights from parents and professionals to help families make sense of the genetic testing process and the emotional and practical realities that come with it. Each session offers guidance and support for every stage of the journey — from seeking answers to living with a diagnosis. Topics included understanding genetic testing and results, navigating services and shaping the future of genetics.

This four-part webinar series explores the emotional and practical realities of raising a child with disability. Each session features honest conversations between parents and professionals about the experiences we don’t often talk about — but that can make all the difference along the parenting journey. Topics include navigating uncertainty, managing the parenting load, dealing with family and friends, and rediscovering yourself outside of your caring role.

The Navigating the NDIS webinar series blended expert insight and lived experience with practical strategies to support families in planning, accessing, and maximising NDIS supports. Topics include preparing for your NDIS meeting; what to expect during the planning meeting; understanding your plan budgets, assistive technology and portal functions; managing and using supports; and what to do if you’re not happy with your plan.

These webinars help families understand and navigate the wide range of services and supports available for children with disability, developmental delay, autism, and rare or genetic conditions. Each session features guest organisations sharing how their free programs and supports can help families in practical ways. Designed to make complex systems easier to understand and use, topics have included Carer Gateway, MyTime, and Supporting Country Kids with Royal Far West.

A collection of webinars featuring trusted professionals such as Child Life Therapists, counsellors and hospital specialists, alongside parents with lived experience. Each webinar recording offers practical information to help you navigate the healthcare system, specialist care and the realities of family life with complex medical needs. 

A collection of webinars each featuring Autistic speakers with professional expertise, sharing practical insights to help families better understand and support their Autistic child. Topics have included When School is Hard, Understanding Masking, Understanding PDA, and How We Talk about Autism.