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Listening to hear children's voices

Are we really listening?Are we really listening when a child is telling us something, or are our minds tuned into the many other thoughts racing through our heads at any one time?Listening to hear can be one of the most difficult things we do, particularly when a child is tumbling words out as though there is no tomorrow, racing from one subject to another.There are certainly times when we can multitask while a child enthusiastically shares a story that has little ongoing significance. Those con...

Why Children's Voices Matter: A Lifetime in Paediatric Palliative Care

A Childhood That Shaped My PurposeI have always felt deeply passionate about ensuring children living with serious illness have their voices heard and are truly understood.Reflecting on my own childhood, I remember the vulnerability that can accompany not feeling understood. Those experiences shaped my belief that every child has the fundamental right to be seen, heard and valued. As a nurse, this conviction led me into caring for children living with chronic and life-limiting conditions, and ul...

Children Matter

Children Are Not Little AdultsChildren are not simply smaller versions of adults. Their physical, emotional, developmental, and social needs differ profoundly from those of adults. Yet, children’s health needs often remain invisible, and they are frequently expected to adapt to systems designed primarily for adults. Too often, what is right and appropriate for children is overlooked.The Silence Surrounding Children’s NeedsFor many reasons, adults struggle to truly hear or understand what mat...

Beyond the Transition

When your identity has, for many years, been deeply aligned with a leadership role in child health, when the path ahead feels clear and purposeful, stepping away from that direction is a true game changer. Nothing fully prepares you for it. I thought I might have some idea of what it would be like, but it wasn’t until I stepped away that the impact was fully felt.It wasn’t necessarily hard… just different....

Part 4 – A Framework for Leadership Transition

Although I came across this framework after my transition, Spencer Stuart outlines key stages and strategies for navigating leadership transitions. These may be helpful for others considering a similar path:Preparation & Groundwork Document and delegate operational workflowsBuild a second line of leadership by identifying and mentoring future leadersDefine the new role clearly to avoid “two centres of power”Address equity and intellectual property considerations Communicating the Transit...

Part 3 – Building the Future

Initially, I assumed I would need to recruit someone with a health background. However, as I widened my perspective, I began to see the potential within the existing team. It became clear that the operations manager had the capacity to grow into the role, with appropriate mentoring and time....

Part 2 – Leading With Values

I did not want to overstay my welcome and risk becoming weary or losing perspective. I did not want the responsibility of transition to fall to others. I strongly believe in creating space for emerging leaders—those who bring fresh clarity and new ideas for service delivery—to step forward while the organisation is still in a strong position....

Part 1 – The Decision to Transition

Planning a transition that will have a meaningful impact—not only on oneself, but also on colleagues, clients, and stakeholders—requires careful thought and preparation. When done well, there are often structured processes in place to ensure a smooth and seamless handover.For me, this transition took five years of planning....