Connect, Pause and Reflect

Connect, Pause and Reflect

Evidence‑based resources that help clinicians connect, pause, and reflect on caring for children with complex needs.

About this toolkit

Rapid advances in medicine, rising expectations and fragmented systems can leave clinicians feeling overwhelmed or isolated. The Connect, Pause and Reflect program aims to bring peers together to reflect and help reduce isolation, normalise challenges, and identify sustainable practices.

This online toolkit is a co-designed set of resources that help clinicians reflect on the challenges and rewards of caring for children with chronic, complex and severe conditions.

Resources within this toolkit include a practical facilitator guide, seven topic areas for reflection and discussion, podcasts, and research references.

Explore the toolkit

A baby sits upright on a bed covered with a light‑coloured blanket. Soft toys, including a teddy bear, are placed behind the baby against a neutral background.
About the project
Learn how the Connect, Pause and Reflect resources were co‑designed with clinicians and how the toolkit supports reflective practice across careers.
Several healthcare workers in medical scrubs sit around a table in a glass‑walled meeting room, engaged in discussion. A laptop and documents are on the table, with chairs and interior reflections visible behind the glass.
How to run a session
Reflective practice sessions are a meeting of equals focused on shared experience, respectful listening and growth.
A close‑up of a child’s hand with a medical dressing and intravenous cannula. An adult hand gently holds the child’s hand, with soft clothing visible in the background.
Topics for reflection
Use these topics individually or in a group session. Each topic includes a short overview, discussion prompts, selected quotes and links to a podcast and transcript.

"What we’ve wanted to do is reduce the isolation of clinicians and begin to build connections of shared understanding so, to start with, we just needed to listen. I suppose it sounds pretty modest, but I think our big goal is to be helpful… but knowing full well that we’re fellow strugglers."

—Professor Kenneth Nunn, Child and Family Psychiatrist, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network

Listen to this quote: 

A young child lies on a patterned couch, smiling and appearing relaxed, with their head resting on the cushion.

Who is this toolkit for?

Individual clinicians

According to your interests, you can explore different topics at your own pace. While exploring, you can review the topic overview, listen to the relevant audio podcast, and read quotes from other clinicians.

Groups

Information on using these resources during group reflective practice sessions is included in the session guide, which includes details about psychological safety.

"It’s not often in my career that I’ve sat down with a group of people and shared so much of the struggles we have and the families have. If we can improve our ability in our struggle, that will definitely help the families. I’m hoping through this effort that we can stay unified to something bigger than ourselves to make a difference."

—Professor Annie Bye, Paediatric Neurologist, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network

Listen to this quote: 

A diverse group of six adults sit closely together in a bright room, participating in a focused group conversation, suggesting collaboration or peer support.