NIDCAP Australasia
NIDCAP training is not done by individuals alone—its real focus is on changing the systems in which we work.
Contact details
Email us: SCHN-NIDCAPAustralia@health.nsw.gov.au
The Australasian NIDCAP Training Centre in the Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care (GCNC) began its journey in 1998, and since then numerous staff members have trained to become NIDCAP Certified Professionals.
As a NIDCAP training centre we offer local and national training for healthcare professionals using the Newborn Individualised Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) framework, and lead the way in Australia in the promotion of neurodevelopmentally supportive practices.
Our ultimate goal is that the training centre will improve the experiences of neonates and their families through the provision of structured neurodevelopmental care education and support.
About NIDCAP
NIDCAP was developed in 1984 by Heidelise Als, PhD (Harvard, Boston USA), and is the only comprehensive, family centred, evidence-based approach to newborn developmental care.
NIDCAP focuses on adapting the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) to the unique neurodevelopmental strengths and goals of each newborn cared for in this setting. These adaptations encompass the physical environment and its components, as well as the care and treatment provided for the infant and their family.
There is increasing evidence that early life stress is harmful to the developing central nervous system and brain. As an infant’s brain is growing faster than at any other time in life, their brain can be impacted by stress and environmental exposure in the NICU with immediate and longer term consequences. By understanding that every caregiving experience matters, NIDCAP training can help professionals to create a hospital experience that is less stressful and more supportive for the infant and family.
NIDCAP Federation International (NFI)
The NFI promotes the advancement of the philosophy and science of NIDCAP care and assures the quality of NIDCAP education, training and certification for professionals and hospital systems.
Like more information about NFI and NIDCAP?
Meet our Partners
The Life’s Little Treasures Foundation (LLTF) believes the role of a parent in the early days of a baby’s stay in the NICU is crucial to the wellbeing of the family unit as well as the care and development of baby. Mums and dads play such a unique and special role in their baby’s care, it’s important therefore that the health professional caring for their baby understands this, encourages and nurtures the parents in their role as caregivers.
LLTF proudly supports educational programmes such as FINE and recognises its importance in the training of health professionals who work with such precious little treasures. Providing these professionals with an understanding of the requirement of the baby and the parent role in the NICU environment and training them to deliver best practice Family-centered care, will in the long term provide better outcomes for babies and families all round.
Shusannah Morris
Co Founder / CEO
Life's Little Treasures Foundation
