Background: Allied health professionals working collaboratively is evidence-based and promotes stronger outcomes for children with multifaceted needs. Working collaboratively supports children in reaching their fullest potential, as all team members work together to achieve a common goal. Allied health professionals working collaboratively and learning from each other may strengthen life-long learning, capacity building, and team bonding. Thus, working collaboratively has positive outcomes for children and the potential to facilitate positive outcomes for allied health professionals.

Aim: To evaluate the outcomes for allied health professionals working collaboratively to support early intervention clients with multifaceted needs.

Method: A questionnaire was completed by allied health professionals (speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, and positive behaviour support practitioners, n = 29) from ORS Group (a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme provider of allied health services).

Results: Quantitative data analysis included descriptive analysis. Qualitative data analysis involved thematic analysis. Positive outcomes from working collaboratively included: capacity building, team bonding, and engagement in evidence-based practice. Barriers identified were time related along with insufficient understanding of roles and responsibilities.

Conclusions: Working collaboratively to support children with multifaceted needs who access early intervention services has positive outcomes for allied health professionals, in addition to the positive outcomes for the children and their significant others.

Implications for children and families: We want to see you reach your fullest potential. To support you in achieving your goals, we need to work together.

Implications for practitioners: Working collaboratively to achieve a common goal for children with multifaceted needs has positive outcomes for allied health professionals.

Key words: interdisciplinary practice, allied health professionals, children with multifaceted needs, early intervention, professionals’ voices, qualitative methods, quantitative methods

This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth