Child Development SPOT
Child Development SPOT provides paediatric speech pathology, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy for children in Warrnambool and the surrounding district.
At Child Development SPOT, we come to work every day because we love kids. We love their energy and passion, their curiosity and sense of wonder, and most of all, their big personalities!
We believe every child is on a quest to reach their fullest potential, but we also understand that some children and their families need additional support along the way. We aim to provide that support through friendly, engaging and educational paediatric therapies. In fact, our name comes directly from our services: we provide children’s Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, or SPOT for short.
SPOT is Sophie Jewell, Trish Bell and Kristy Allsop. We founded SPOT after working together as a team for five years in another organisation. We had a shared vision for an innovative, fun, collaborative and welcoming clinic in Warrnambool for children and their families. When we created the clinic on Lava Street, our partners, family and friends brought their skills together to help us build a space that matches our vision.
We provide quality therapy and support to children with additional needs and their families. We also offer innovative group therapies that respond to children’s needs and bring together families from across south west Victoria.
Sophie, Trish and Kristy
Sophie, Trish and Kristy
We believe that partnering with parents and carers – the people who know their child the best – results in better outcomes for each child and family.
Sophie JewellSpeech Pathologist
Bachelor of Health Sciences, Master of Speech Pathology.
Sophie grew up on a local farm in Bessiebelle before venturing to Melbourne in 2009 to complete her Bachelor degree in Health Science (majoring in Anatomy and Physiology), and after that, her Masters in Speech Pathology. She returned to the South West to work in Warrnambool. Her experience comes from working with a variety of clients through her roles with the Department of Education and Training. These roles include early years support at Specialist Children’s Services, and school support with Student Support Services. Sophie is passionate about supporting children with alternate forms of communication: every child has a voice, but some children need extra support for us to ‘hear’ it.
Trish BellPhysiotherapist
Bachelor of Applied Science, Physiotherapy.
Trish initially worked at Bethlehem Hospital, Caulfield, with patients with neurological disorders, and Moorabbin Hospital, inpatients, before developing an interest in paediatrics. She has since been working with children and families for over 25 years, beginning in Melbourne at the Early Childhood Development Programme (which subsequently became Specialist Children’s Services) in the 1980s and also at SCOPE in the 1990s. Trish has worked with children ranging from a few months of age and into school years. After moving to Warrnambool in 1998, she has spent the last 20 years at Specialist Children’s Services providing physiotherapy for babies and young children in Victoria’s south-west. Trish is particularly interested in developmental physiotherapy and she strives to assist families in achieving the best possible outcomes for their children as they grow.
Kristy AllsopOccupational Therapist
Bachelor of Science, Master of Occupational Therapy.
Kristy has worked for 15 years as a paediatric Occupational Therapist, working with a wide range of children with special needs. In addition to her work in private practice, she has worked for Vision Australia and in a senior position at Northern Health in Melbourne. She also worked in the Child Development team of Auckland District Health Board in New Zealand. For the past five years, she has worked in Warrnambool for early intervention services Specialist Children’s Services and Gateway Support Services. Kristy is trained in the Sequential Oral Sensory program for picky or fussy eaters, DIR Floor Time, Learn to Play (Karen Stagnetti), Sleep Wise, and The Coach Approach, and has completed courses on handwriting and Executive Function. Kristy also has extensive experience in assessing and recommending equipment and home modifications for children.
Our values
At Child Development SPOT we treat families and each other with RESPECT.
Respect – We listen to others, we encourage sharing ideas, and we do not put others down.
Equitable – We believe in tailoring our services to meet individual needs.
Sincere – We believe in being genuine and honest, especially when sharing our feelings and beliefs.
Professional – We maintain a high level of professionalism in every aspect of our work.
Empathetic – We strive to listen to and understand other people’s feelings.
Courteous – We believe in being polite and considerate towards others.
Trustworthy – We value the trust parents have in us to work with them in the care of their child’s development.