A new collaborative placement led by University Department of Rural Health South West, Edith Cowan University and The Y is creating valuable learning experiences for students while expanding access to Speech Pathology in regional communities.
Based in Manjimup, the initiative provides speech pathology support to children at Timber Tots Early Learning Centre. The placement is supervised by UDRH SW Discipline Advisor and Speech Pathologist Emily Jackson, who is supporting final-year ECU speech pathology student Chantel Baptista.
This placement not only offers a unique, hands-on rural learning experience for students, but also delivers real benefits to the local community. Children and families gain access to early speech pathology intervention services that can be difficult to access in regional areas. Plus, utilising a top-down approach, staff at the learning centre are working collaboratively with Emily and Chantel to expand their understanding of speech pathology practices.
Emily and Chantel are also inviting parents to drop-in sessions to assist parents with resources, early language strategies and inform parents of typical speech and language development norms.
Emily explains that while around 30% of Australians live in rural areas, only about 4.5% of speech pathologists practice there. This immersive placement initiative aims to shift that trend, by giving students positive rural placement experiences and encouraging them to consider regional careers.
Through partnerships like this, UDRH SW continues to create unique and meaningful placement opportunities across the South West, supporting students, strengthening the local health workforce and improving access to essential services for regional communities.
