CPD Empower

This workshop is part of CPD Empower - OTA’s national CPD event series offering in-depth, OT-specific workshops across key areas of practice. Designed for both experienced clinicians and those ready to stretch themselves, each workshop stream delivers high quality immersive learning, expert facilitation, and practical insights you can take straight back into your work. For more information about the full CPD Empower experience, visit https://otaus.com.au/cpd-empower

 

Workshop Overview

With over 20 years of experience in early childhood intervention, Dr. Barfoot has developed this comprehensive training to bridge the gap between developmentally orientated approaches and relational principles.  
Attendees will leave with tools and confidence to better engage families, balance therapy goals with relational approaches, and foster meaningful partnerships with parents and caregivers. This training also supports therapists to better align their approaches with the Australian Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Guidelines.  

Day 1: Understanding the PAIR Model and Foundations of Relational Approaches 

• Introduction to the PAIR Model: Gain a thorough understanding of the PAIR Model (Phased Approach to Including a Relational focus) and its evidence base. Learn how the model supports therapists in integrating relational practices with goal-oriented interventions to support child development. 
• Principles of Relational Approaches: Explore the core principles of relational approaches in early childhood intervention, including respect, partnership, mutual competence, and collaboration. Learn how these principles can be applied in different therapy contexts. 
• Building Partnerships with Families: Strengthen practical skills for meaningful collaboration with families, focusing on strategies for increasing parents’ sense of capacity and enhancing parent-child interactions. Learn how to engage parents in ways that respect their values and support them as key contributors to the therapeutic process. 
• Strengthening Parent Engagement: Tools for having conversations with parents that are centred around their goals, and support their involvement in every aspect of therapy, ensuring parents feel confident and capable in their role. 

Day 2: Practical Application of the PAIR Model in Therapy Sessions 

• Incorporating the PAIR Model in Therapy: Deepen your understanding of how to apply the PAIR Model to real-world therapy scenarios. Learn how to embed relational practices into your everyday work and tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of each child and family. 
• Video Review in Sessions: Explore the use of video review as a powerful tool for reflection and feedback in therapy sessions. Learn how to incorporate video into your practice to support both therapist and parent learning, and gain insights into how to use video effectively to enhance the quality of therapy. 
• Case Studies and Role Plays: Engage in practical exercises, case studies, and role plays to build your skills in applying the PAIR Model and relational approaches to common therapy situations. 
• Adapting the Model for Different Therapy Contexts: Discover how to adapt the PAIR Model for various contexts, including individual therapy sessions, shorter or longer-term interventions, and home visits. Learn how to use relational principles in different contexts to support both child and family outcomes. 
• Tools and Resources for Implementation: Walk away with resources and practical tools to help you integrate the PAIR Model into your practice, build lasting connections with families and optimise goal attainment for children.  

By the end of this 2-day training, participants will be equipped with: 

• A solid understanding of the PAIR Model and relational principles in early childhood intervention. 
• Practical strategies for balancing developmentally orientated approaches with relational principles. 
• Tools to strengthen parent engagement and tailor conversations to support their goals in therapy. 
• Confidence to incorporate video review into therapy sessions as a means of reflection and feedback. 
• Tools to foster meaningful parent-child interactions and strengthen family partnerships. 
• Strategies for adapting relational approaches to different therapy contexts, ensuring holistic support for children with developmental delays and disabilities. 

 
This session is suitable for: 
This training is ideal for occupational therapists working with children, particularly in early childhood intervention settings. If you're looking to expand your therapeutic toolkit, enhance your family-centred approach, and strengthen your ability to engage and empower parents, this training is for you. 

WORKSHOP DETAILS: 
Thursday 30th October – Friday 31st October 2025 (2 days) 

TIME: 

Registration: 8:30am - 9:00am 

Workshop: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Networking event: 5:00pm - 6:00pm (Thursday)

VENUE  
ICC Sydney: International Convention & Exhibition Centre 

14 Darling Drive Sydney NSW 

CPD HOURS

Total CPD claimable workshop hours: 13 hours 
A certificate of attendance will be issued upon completion of the full course. Please allow up to 48 hours for the certificate to appear in your CPD tracker. 

INCLUSIONS:  
The following are included in your registration: 

• Tea & Coffee on arrival 
• Daily Catering - Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea (please note any dietary requirements at time of registration) 
• Networking Drinks (Thursday evening)

REGISTRATION FEES 

OTA MEMBERS 

EARLYBIRD – $ 880 (Book on or before 27th August 2025) 
STANDARD – $980 (Book on or after 28th August 2025) 
Members must be logged in with username and password to register at the member rate. 

Not already an OTA member? Sign up today here to enjoy great savings on CPD courses, events, conferences and unlimited access to local and international research publications, special offers from our partners and more! 

NON-MEMBERS: $1370  – Book by 16th October 2025 

Early Bird prices are not available for non-members 

RSVPS close 16th October 2025 
Note: All pricing is inclusive of GST 

DISCLAIMER 
All information is correct at the time of publication. OTA reserves the right to alter or delete items from the CPD calendar as required, and takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions, and changes.  
All resources including copies of the presentation, along with all supporting documents and links are not for distribution and are the property of the presenter.  
An OTA staff member or representative may be photographing this event for use in OTA publications and/or on OTA social media sites. If you do not wish to be photographed, or have your image published please make this known to the OTA representative at your course or contact OTA on 1300 682 878 or info@otaus.com.au  

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 
Terms and Conditions including OTA’s refund and cancellation policy are available here  

CONTACT US 
Please email info@otaus.com.au or phone 1300 682 878