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Physiotherapy for Children
Physiotherapy for Children
About
Our Paediatric Physiotherapists
Francyne Finlayson
Director
Physiotherapist (Paediatrics)
Francyne is an experienced, holistic paediatric-trained physiotherapist with extensive experience in infant development and neurological and orthopaedic conditions affecting children. She started Physiotherapy for Children in 2017 with the vision to bring high-quality evidence-based paediatric physiotherapy services into the community to help improve the health and wellbeing of children and their families in Melbourne.
She completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne, and has subsequently worked and trained across many paediatric hospitals in Melbourne, including The Royal Children's Hospital and Monash Children's Hospital. She has worked in a variety of areas of paediatric physiotherapy, and has expertise in neurological and orthopaedic conditions affecting infant and child development, including preterm birth and brain injuries. In particular, Francyne has specialised in early detection of movement difficulties, such as cerebral palsy and complex movement disorders, and early intervention for complex neurological conditions. She has worked in many neonatal units across Melbourne, and currently works as a senior physiotherapist in the neonatal unit and high-risk infant follow-up service at Monash Children's Hospital.
She is currently completing her PhD in the area of early intervention in children born preterm through the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the Royal Women's Hospital, and is actively involved in research through the Victorian Infant Brain Studies Group and Monash Children's Hospital. She has completed postgraduate studies in Paediatric Orthopaedic Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne and a paediatric physiotherapy training program at The Royal Children's Hospital.
Francyne is passionate about improving the health and well-being of children and helping children and families reach their full potential.
Outside of work, Francyne enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, Aurora, at the beach and exploring nature.
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Sarah is an energetic and passionate physiotherapist who loves working closely with children and their families to develop engaging and fun treatment plans and sessions within the home and school environment.
Sarah completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Latrobe University and has worked and trained within a variety of physiotherapy roles across both adult and paediatric health care settings including Alfred Health, The Royal Children’s hospital and Monash Children’s Hospital.
She has worked within a variety of areas of paediatric physiotherapy and has extensive experience and training in the management of chronic cardio-respiratory conditions including long term home ventilation, tracheostomy and cough assist therapy, complex medical conditions and care needs and neurological conditions.
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Sarah currently works at Monash Children’s Hospital as a senior physiotherapist managing the ‘Hospital in the Home’ physiotherapy program. She additionally works academically at Monash University as a core member of the Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy teaching program to all undergraduate physiotherapy students.
Sarah is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of children within the community and has a particular interest in the management of complex medical conditions, chronic cardio-respiratory conditions and neurological conditions.
Sarah has two young children with whom she loves to spend all her spare time with enjoying the beach, adventures in the bush and lots of arts and craft.
Sarah Rawlings
Physiotherapist (Paediatrics)
Alex is an enthusiastic paediatric physiotherapist who works hard to establish positive relationships and treatment outcomes for the families she works with.
Alex completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Otago, New Zealand. She has had experience working in hospitals in New Zealand and the United Kingdom working across adult acute and rehabilitation settings.
More recently, Alex has worked with children in a paediatric physiotherapist role in the community setting in New Zealand. She has experience working in early intervention with babies and toddlers with movement and developmental difficulties, through to adolescents with coordination disorders and orthopaedic conditions.
Outside of work Alex likes to spend time cooking and keeping active outdoors at the beach or mountain biking with her partner.
Alex Butler
Physiotherapist (Paediatrics)
Orissa Meaden-Torbitt
Physiotherapist (Paediatrics)
Orissa is an enthusiastic, kind and fun physiotherapist from Namibia who has a great passion for working with children and their families. She completed her Bachelor degree in Cape Town, South Africa and spent a year working in rural health care treating adults and children in their local communities.
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Opportunities led her to move to the UK where she continued her career at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London. She soon realised her passion in working with children and decided to specialise in paediatric physiotherapy.
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She worked in various paediatric settings in London including schools, community clinics and acute hospitals like Great Ormond Street Hospital. This vast experience has given her the skills to work with children with developmental delay, neurological, cardio-respiratory, orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions.
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In early 2023 she spent some time travelling and moved to Auckland working as a senior Physiotherapist at Starship Children’s Hospital. Earlier this year she made the move to Melbourne and works part time at The Royal Children’s Hospital.
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She has a special interest in orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions including Plagiocephaly, torticollis, hip dysplasia and post operative rehabilitation. Moreover, she loves working with cardiac and neuro-developmental conditions helping little ones achieve their developmental milestones.
Outside of work she is an avid open water swimmer, runner and enjoys spending time travelling with her partner and family. She’s a coffee fanatic and can’t wait to see what Melbourne has to offer.
She takes great pride in making a positive impact on the lives of her patients, and providing care that will achieve their goals and overall improve their quality of life.
Emily Cox
Physiotherapist (Paediatrics)
Originally from Brisbane, Emily relocated to Melbourne driven by her passion for delivering engaging and effective family-centered therapy. She is committed to advocating for children, supporting them in developing independence and enhancing their quality of life. With a particular interest in working with infants and providing group-based therapy, Emily finds great joy in witnessing children achieve their goals, always emphasising the vital role of family in the therapeutic process.
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Emily graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the Australian Catholic University in Brisbane in 2016. Her clinical experience includes working with preterm infants across several children’s hospitals within the Western Health network. She has also delivered community-based intensive therapy for children and infants with complex neurological and orthopaedic conditions. By tailoring therapy to various environments—whether at home, school, kindergarten, or in the pool—Emily ensures each session is engaging and aligned with the child’s individual interests.
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Emily has furthered her expertise through additional training, completing both Level 1 and Level 2 APA Paediatric Physiotherapy courses. Outside of work, she enjoys playing AFL, running, and exploring hiking trails throughout Victoria.
Referrals
A referral to see our paediatric physiotherapist is not required, however information from your medical or health professional is very helpful.
Funding
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Private Health Insurance
Services are eligible for private health insurance rebate based on individual cover. See your private health insurance provider for details.
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Medicare
Medicare rebates are also available using the Chronic Disease Management care plan. This is available from your General Practitioner. See the Department of Human Services website below for more details.
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National Disability Insurance Scheme
Children funded under the National Disability Insurance Scheme can chose to have their physiotherapy services through Physiotherapy for Children. Please contact us for more information.
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Info
In accordance with Australian requirements, our physiotherapists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and have current Police and Working with Children’s checks.
