Welcome to Linda Boyd - Child and Family Consultancy
At Linda Boyd - Child and Family Consultancy, we specialise in providing expert psychosocial assessments, evidence-based interventions, recommendations and high-quality reports. We have expert knowledge and skills in all aspects of child and family social and emotional wellbeing. We are dedicated to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and families in our community.
Linda is a seasoned Child and Family Consultant with 25 years of extensive experience in both public and private sectors within community and human services across Queensland and New South Wales. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science, complemented by postgraduate studies focused on child and family therapy.
Her specialised training equips her to effectively support families navigating challenges related to domestic and family violence, mental health, substance abuse, and disability. Linda is committed to delivering services that are evidence-based, child-focused, and family-centered. Utilising an ecological model, she conducts thorough family risk and needs assessments and develops tailored interventions and recommendations.
Linda possesses strong capabilities in group work and facilitation, demonstrating her proficiency in leading collaborative discussions and workshops. With a deep passion for promoting the safety and social-emotional wellbeing of children, young people, and families, she prides herself on her ability to foster authentic, trusting relationships through her empathic and warm approach.
Additionally, Linda brings over five years of valuable experience working alongside First Nations families and communities in remote Far North Queensland. Her diverse professional background enhances her understanding of the importance of walking alongside children and families, recognising their inherent strengths in facing challenges and achieving meaningful change.
Linda is dedicated to empowering families to identify and implement solutions, facilitating a supportive environment for growth and resilience.
Services, Interventions and Support
Psychosocial Assessments and Report – we will provide a comprehensive assessment focusing on psychological, social, and environmental factors affecting well-being. The report will identify the strengths, challenges, and needs of the individual, providing valuable insights for developing evidence-based interventions and recommendations. The psychological assessment component of the assessment will be undertaken by experienced and skilled psychologist.
Parental Capacity Assessments and Report – we will provide a structured risk assessment and evaluation of a parent's ability to meet their child's physical, emotional, and developmental needs. The key components to the assessment include:
- Comprehensive Interviews: Engaging with parents and, where appropriate, children to gather insights into family dynamics, parenting practices, and individual histories.
- Observational Assessments: Monitoring parent-child interactions in various settings to assess responsiveness, attachment, and caregiving behaviours.
- Emotion Regulation and wellbeing evaluations: Utilising standardised tools to evaluate emotional health, parental stress and emotional regulation.
- Collateral Information: Reviewing records and obtaining input from other professionals involved with the family to provide a holistic view.
Report recommendations may include therapeutic interventions, parenting education, or custody or guardianship recommendations to safeguard the child's interests. Assessments and reports will adhere to ethical guidelines and legal standards, ensuring that the child's best interests remain the central focus.
Foster and Kinship care assessments and support – we will complete foster and kinship care assessments focusing on the safety, stability, and well-being of children, including carers capacity to provide a nurturing environment, meet the child's emotional and physical needs, and adhere to regulatory requirements, Statement of Standards, Charter of Rights. We will utilise tools and forms required by government.
Kinship care assessments will also focus on the suitability of kin, (as defined by family and community), relatives or close family friends to provide care, emphasising the child's existing relationships and cultural connection and continuity.
Permanency Assessments and Reports – we will complete permanency assessment aimed at ensuring long-term stability, security, and well-being for children in care. We will be evaluating the suitability of the applicants and the placement and making informed recommendations that prioritise the child's best interests, whilst focusing on relational, physical and legal aspects. We will also undertake a holistic assessment that considers the child views and wishes, cultural background, identity and personal relationships. All recommendation will ensure compliance with legislative requirement and regulations.
In home child and family therapeutic intervention – we can provide in-home therapeutic intervention and support to families facing challenges, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and stable environment for children. Through evidence-based approaches, will work closely with families to strengthen relationships, improve emotional regulation, and foster resilience.
Key aspects of this support include:
- Tailored Therapeutic Interventions: Using trauma-informed and attachment-based strategies to address behavioural and emotional concerns.
- Parental Guidance & Coaching: Empowering caregivers with practical tools to enhance parenting skills and create a supportive home environment.
- Crisis Intervention & Stabilisation: Assisting families in navigating complex situations, preventing placement breakdowns, and promoting long-term stability.
- Holistic Family Support: addressing intergenerational trauma, strengthening family bonds, and fostering positive communication.
Ante-natal parenting intervention and support – we can provide ante-natal parenting support and intervention parents to foster a safe and nurturing environment for newborns. We focus on early intervention psychoeducation to allow parents develop the skills, confidence, and emotional resilience needed to care for their child effectively.
The key components of Ante-Natal Parenting Support we can provide include:
- Risk Assessment & Early Identification: Evaluating parental risk factors such as mental health challenges, substance use, or previous child protection concerns to tailor support strategies.
- Trauma-Informed & Strength-Based Approach: Empowering parents by recognising their strengths while addressing past trauma that may impact their ability to bond with their child.
- Parenting Education & Skill Development: Providing guidance on infant care, attachment, emotional regulation, and responsive parenting techniques.
- Holistic Family Support: Connecting parents with healthcare providers, social workers, and community resources to ensure comprehensive care.
- Emotional & Wellbeing Support: Offering counselling and therapeutic interventions to address anxiety, depression, or stress related to parenthood.
- Cultural & Individualised Care: Ensuring interventions are sensitive to cultural backgrounds, family dynamics, and personal circumstances.
- Collaborative Care Planning: Working alongside child protection agencies, midwives, and support networks to create a sustainable parenting plan.
Group Work and Facilitation – we can facilitate group work with families to foster collaboration, strengthen relationships, and empowering families to take the lead in decision-making and plan development. Through structured supported sessions we guide families to identify their strengths, to address challenges, and create sustainable solutions that prioritise the well-being of children.
The key components we use to facilitate of Family-Led Decision Making & Plan Development include:
- Empowering Families: Encouraging families to take ownership of decisions, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
- Strength-Based Approach: Recognising and building upon existing family strengths to create practical and achievable plans.
- Collaborative Facilitation: Providing a safe space for open discussions, conflict resolution, and shared problem-solving.
- Cultural & Individual Sensitivity: Tailoring interventions to align with cultural values, traditions, and unique family dynamics.
- Structured and Targeted Discussion frameworks and tools: Utilising evidence-based models such to guide discussions and outcomes.
Contact us
linda.boyd@live.com.au