Senior Physiotherapist and Director
Jessica Capper
(Jess covers the following areas: Cities of Glen Eira, Stonnington, Port Philip, Bayside, Kingston)
Jess is an experienced, caring paediatric physiotherapist who is dedicated to providing excellent, individually tailored physiotherapy to children. She very much enjoys working with children and families in their own environment and believes that physiotherapy should be fun, while still meeting the needs and goals of the family and improving physical outcomes and quality of life.
Jess has experience working with a wide variety of conditions ranging from treatment of congenital conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome and neuromuscular conditions; to assistance in the development of motor skills in infants and children; to working with those children who have experienced a major life changing health event such as injury, illness or surgery. She has a particular interest in early childhood development and neurological concerns and rehabilitation.
Jess graduated from LaTrobe University with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2004. After university, she worked in a major Melbourne hospital before heading off to work abroad in the UK for a number of years. She returned to Melbourne in 2010 to work with children in a hospital setting before making the move to a community setting. In April 2013, Jess started Grow Strong Children’s Physiotherapy and is so proud of how her little business has grown. She continues to work at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne on a part time basis.
e: jess@growstrongphysio.com.au
p: 0413 800 847
Senior Physiotherapist
Tanja Spencer
(Tanja covers the following areas: Cities of Knox, Maroondah, Whitehorse, Boorondara, Monash, Casey, parts of Yarra Ranges and Greater Dandenong, Cardinia Shire)
Tanja is passionate about working with children and their families to provide a fun, excellent, evidence-based physiotherapy service that allows kids to participate meaningfully with their family, in the home and in the wider community.
Tanja graduated with honours from LaTrobe University in 2003. She works part-time as the senior Physiotherapist within the Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service at Monash Children’s Hospital and she also teaches post-graduate paediatric physiotherapy content with Monash University. She recently completed a Masters researching the impact of running training on children with a neurological impairment. To further help children participate in sports, she has also become a national level classifier for para-athletics. Tanja is a director of Heads Together for ABI, a charity which provides services for children who have acquired a brain injury.
Tanja is an experienced paediatric physiotherapist who is dedicated to working with children and their families to achieve their goals. She has extensive experience working with infants, children and adolescents in a range of settings; from their own home or school through to the hospital environment. She has a particular interest in providing family-centred care that enables a child to particiate in the sports and hobbies that they enjoy.
Senior Physiotherapist
Clare Ward
(Clare covers the following areas: Cities of Nillumbik, Banyule, Whittlesea, parts of Manningham and Whitehorse)
Clare is an enthusiastic paediatric physiotherapist who is determined to see children succeed and overcome challenges. She is experienced and professional in her work but loves to bring fun and games into as many sessions as possible. She enjoys working with children across their varied environments, whether it be home, school, childcare, the local sporting field, playground or pool. Her therapy skills are all evidence based and have continued to develop strongly over the last six years working solely in private paediatrics.
Clare completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy (with Honours) in 2004 at The University of Melbourne. Clare has since worked in many acute and community settings in both Melbourne and the UK with adult and paediatric populations. Clare has a particular interest in working with children who have acquired brain injuries and has volunteered for several years at the Heads Together For ABI family camps.
When Clare is not working she spends her time with her two young daughters, her son and their labrador.
Senior Physiotherapist
Brooke Adair
(Brooke covers the following areas: Cities of Melbourne, Moreland, Darebin, Yarra)
Brooke is an experienced paediatric physiotherapist dedicated to helping children to participate in the activities that mean the most to them and their families. She understands the importance of making therapy fun and determining achievable goals with the help of both children and families.
Brooke graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Melbourne in 2003. After her bachelor’s degree she spent a number of years working at Monash Medical Centre before specialising in paediatrics and commencing work at the Royal Children’s Hospital. In 2010, Brooke’s quest for knowledge got the better of her and she commenced a PhD, after which she continued to work in the research sector helping to manage and develop projects related to understanding and improving participation for children with disabilities. Throughout her PhD and work in the research sector Brooke has continued to work casually as a physiotherapist at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Brooke has extensive experience working with children with a range of conditions but specialises in the assessment and treatment of those with cerebral palsy, with particular experience in gait analysis and post-operative rehabilitation. In her spare time Brooke volunteers as a classifier for Paralympic swimming and boccia.
Senior Physiotherapist
Ruth Sacks
(Ruth covers the following areas: Cities of Glen Eira, Stonnington, Port Philip, Bayside, Kingston)
Ruth is a caring and dedicated paediatric physiotherapist with close to 20 years of experience supporting and empowering children and families to reach their physical and developmental goals. Her approach is family centred, evidence-based and fun. Ruth recognises that children learn best in their natural environments, through play and repetition within their daily routines. She loves facilitating children to thrive and participate optimally in their homes, recreational settings, childcare centres, kinders and schools and genuinely rejoices in their achievements.
Ruth attained her Bachelor of Physiotherapy (with Honours) from the University of Melbourne in 2000. Since then she has worked exclusively in paediatrics across both hospital and community settings in Melbourne and the UK, including special schools, neonatal care units, outpatient clinics and early childhood intervention services (ECIS). Ruth is particularly skilled and passionate about optimising outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental/neurological difficulties and children born premature.
Through her work as an early intervention key worker, Ruth has acquired in-depth knowledge of general child development as well as the various systems and supports available to children with additional needs. She is therefore able to offer excellent support to children and families across a variety of developmental areas, facilitate communication between members of the care team, and help families access and navigate the complex support systems.
When she is not working, Ruth enjoys raising and running after her energetic 5 year old twin boys.