Paediatrics | Psychiatry | Psychology | Speech-Language Pathology | Occupational Therapy | Educational Support
About Educare
Our Story
EDUCARE was established in 1999 and has since developed into a multi-disciplinary practice that brings many related specialist medical, health and educational services into one location for the convenience of families in Newcastle and the Hunter Region.
While we work with clients of all ages, we specialise in helping children and teenagers to enhance their development potential and wellbeing. Our services include a comprehensive range of assessments, diagnostic and treatment to support families.
Our team is highly experienced and works together to empower children and teens to overcome mental, emotional, social and behavioural roadblocks.
When you book an appointment, you can expect genuine care and a personalised approach to improving health and quality of life for yourself and your child.
Our Values
Our values are shaped and informed by our beliefs and commitments to:
- Inclusiveness – We respect all people, value diversity and are committed to equality.
- Participation – We recognise and value the contribution people with disabilities make within organisations and communities.
- Quality – We strive for excellence through continuous improvement
- Openness – We are committed to a culture of teamwork and collaboration with all our stakeholders and families.
- Innovation – We create and respond to innovative practices that will enable our people to flourish.
- Honesty & Integrity – We are committed to honesty and integrity in all that we do, in all that we say, in all that we create.
- Empathy – We seek to understand and support people facing varying challenges in life with care and responsibility.
- Accountability – We strive to be transparent and accountable in all that we do and do not do.
- Respect – We respect and value the uniqueness of all people by what we do and say.
Dr Bruce R Youlden
BA; BEd; MA; MA; Ph.D
Managing Director
Dr Bruce Youlden took on the administrative responsibilities as the Managing Director of EDUCARE Specialist Services in January 2019. Following on from a career of 42 years in Educational Leadership settings, Bruce is now directing his energies towards the continuing growth and development of EDUCARE as a multi-disciplinary medical, health and educational practice.
Dr Anne-Marie J Youlden
BA; MA; MA; Ph.D; MAPS
Clinical Director
Educational & Child Psychologist
Dr Anne-Marie Youlden commenced her professional life as a primary teacher in 1982, with subsequent training and experience as a School Psychologist and Counsellor, Special Educational Consultant and over the past 25 years
Our Team
Based in Newcastle and serving the Hunter Region, our medical and health specialists include paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational and behavioural therapists.
Dr Patricia Caruana
MD (Medicine), General Neurologist
Dr Patricia Caruana has been working as a doctor for 23 years. She graduated and trained in Germany and Switzerland and moved thereafter to work in the United Kingdom and then to Australia.
Dr Chanka Nanayakkara
Consultant Paediatrician
Dr Chanka Nanayakkara has dual training in General Paediatrics and Paediatric Rehabilitation. She has been working with the multi-disciplinary team at Educare since March 2015 with special interest in behaviour, learning and development.
Dr Colin Kable
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr Colin Kable completed his Medical Degree at the University of Newcastle in 1985 and has worked within the Newcastle and the Hunter Valley region since that time.
Dr Ulli Schall
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr Ulrich Schall has many years of experience working with young people affected by mental illness, which is complemented by a substantial track record in mental health research at the University of Newcastle’s Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research.
Dr Cyriac Mathew
Adult Psychiatrist
Dr Cyriac Mathew has many years of experience ensuring quality care of people affected by various mental illnesses, including assessment, medical management and psychosocial interventions.
Dr Irosh Fernando
Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist
Dr Fernando has joined the team of four Consultant Psychiatrists at EDUCARE and works in close collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team within the practice.
Dr Samantha Haines
Clinical Psychologist
Dr Samantha Haines completed her training in Clinical Psychology in Auckland, New Zealand. Her research focus was in the area of deliberate fire lighting.
Fiona Darroch
Clinical Psychologist
Fiona Darroch has worked exclusively with children and families for over 24 years in a variety of settings including as a school psychologist and as a Family Consultant in the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court of Australia.
Megan Pumpa
Clinical Psychologist
Megan Pumpa is a registered clinical psychologist. Megan completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, with a research focus on self-harm in young people.
Dr Nicole Reece
Clinical Psychologist
Dr Nicole Reece has completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology, specialising in mental health, and has been practising since 2008. She has experience in a wide variety of settings including community, private, academic and inpatient environments.
Rosien Colin
Clinical Psychologist
Rosien is a Clinical Psychologist with a big love for guiding children, adolescents, families, and adults to improve their well-being.
Britta Walker
Clinical Psychologist
Britta is a registered Clinical Psychologist and is passionate about working with young people to build coping skills and resilience, to manage difficult emotions and experiences, and create a greater sense of wellbeing.
Dr Heather Stuart
Child and Educational Psychologist
Heather Stuart has twenty-five years’ experience as a school counsellor and educational psychologist. She has a strong affinity with children, particularly children with special needs.
Kimberly Collins
Consulting Psychologist
Kimberly is a warm and compassionate therapist, who aims to foster a therapeutic relationship of mutual respect and honesty. Her approach is evidence-based, collaborative, supportive, and is adapted to individual needs.
Laura Giles
Behavioural Psychologist
Laura completed her training in Psychology in Hamilton, New Zealand, specialising in the application of Behaviour Analysis.
Drew Cowen
Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychologist
Drew Cowen has worked with children, adolescents and families for over 25 years and brings substantial experience to EDUCARE and to his respective clients.
David Pearce
Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychologist
David completed his Bachelor of Psychology degree at the University of Newcastle. Following on from his degree, David has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience working with complex children and adults who present with a range of mental disorders including
Katrina Allan
Speech Pathology Coordinator
Katrina comes to Educare with a background in rural and remote health and private practice. She loves working closely with families to develop functional and client centered communication goals.
Gabrielle Scanlon
Speech-Language Pathologist
Gabrielle is a valued member of the speech pathology team having worked in both the public and private sectors providing assessment and intervention to children and adults across the lifespan. Her previous experiences in educational settings as well as the disability sector have developed her passion for treating clients with learning delays.
Hannah Watson
Speech-Language Pathologist
Hannah is a passionate Speech and Language Pathologist with an experienced background in working with a range of clients and families from young children through to adults. Hannah understands the importance of working closely with families to develop client focused goals to assist with and improve communication.
Mills Sedgwick
Speech-Language Pathologist
Mills is an empathetic, bubbly therapist who values creating a comfortable space for her clients to meet their therapy goals. She works collaboratively with children, their families, and educators to help them achieve their goals in their everyday lives.
Alysha Gill
Occupational Therapy Coordinator
Alysha graduated with Honours in Occupational Therapy from the University of Newcastle in 2012. It was during her final clinical placement at the John Hunter Children’s Hospital where she developed a strong passion for working with children.
Emma Catchpole
Paediatric Occupational and Behavioural Therapist
Emma is originally from Brisbane, Australia and has recently relocated to Newcastle for its beautiful beaches and lifestyle.
Hayley Kopko
Occupational Therapist
Hayley began studying as a mature aged student and graduated with Honours in Occupational Therapy from the University of Newcastle in 2016.
To Be Appointed
Julie Fletcher
Client and NDIS Coordinator
Kayla Weick
(Maternity Leave)
Michelle Crowley
Reception Coordinator
Lauren Aspinall
Medical Receptionist
Jocelyn Evans
Medical Receptionist
Tanya Wells
Medical Receptionist
Kim Pankiw
Finance Assistant
Ellamay U’Brien
Administrative Assistant
Employment
EDUCARE continues to grow and develop as one of the leading multi-disciplinary medical-health practices within the region. Expansion plans are now unfolding to provide additional opportunities to join our team over coming months.
What Positions Are Available?
The following positions represent a unique opportunity to join our team of highly skilled specialists who provide unparalleled care to patients and support families within our community.
Specifically, we are currently calling for expressions of interest to fill the following positions:
- Consultant Psychiatrist
- Clinical Psychologist Coordinator
- Clinical or General Psychologist
- Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Why Join Us?
- Exceptionally competitive salary and terms of employment – We also include additional performance bonuses, various leave entitlements, professional development and supervision
- Flexibility and Balance – We are able to offer both full time and part-time hours with flexible modes of delivery
- Unique Development Opportunities – We provide internal and external mentorship, tailored training budgets and support individual progression and interests
- Premium Treatment Resources – With cutting edge and innovative equipment and facilities, you will seamlessly be able to provide exceptional levels of care to your patients
- Administrative Support is available to allow you to focus on your core clinical responsibilities
Apply Now!
If you are ready to take the next step in your career with an industry leader apply now and send your resume and cover letter attached to byoulden@educare.net.au. Alternatively, feel free to contact Dr. Youlden directly on mobile: 0414788898
Frequently Asked Questions
EDUCARE was established in 1999 by Educational and Child Psychologist, Dr Anne-Marie Youlden. It has since developed into a leading multi-disciplinary practice designed to bring many related specialist medical, health and educational services into one location for the convenience of families in the Hunter Region.
The EDUCARE team consists of a wide range of highly experienced medical and health specialists, who all work together to empower our clients and their families.
Our specialists include paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and teachers.
You may have observed that your son or daughter has the potential to perform at least equal to peers, perhaps even better, but for some reason they do not seem to reach their potential.
Similarly, you may feel as an adult that you are encountering a range of difficulties that are creating barriers to your emotional, mental or professional well-being.
EDUCARE can help because it has the specialist professional expertise to identify both the barriers and potential solutions to enhance well-being and learning and every-day living
EDUCARE provides a comprehensive range of assessments, diagnostic and treatment services
We take a fully integrated approach, meeting family needs by working closely with referring medical practitioners, health professionals and educators
EDUCARE provides a range of target services and programs to meet the varying needs of individuals and families. You can contact us for Pre & Post Natal Counselling, Autism Spectrum Management, Social and Behaviour Intervention Programs, Parent Training, Medico-Legal Matters and WorkCover Support.
Funding support for families includes: Medicare; Private Health Funds; and NDIS.
View our NDIS page or reach out to us to find out more.
EDUCARE is conveniently located and accessible in meeting community needs throughout Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Lower and Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Central Coast and the Northern NSW Region.
For more information or to arrange an appointment, please contact us.