Overview
Mission Australia welcomes the policy intent of the Thriving Kids initiative as it aligns with the NDIS Review recommendations, particularly around early intervention and mainstream service integration. It is important that, as a national initiative, it strives for consistency and equity in its implementation and delivery. As part of The Possibility Partnership – a collaboration of some of Australia’s leading community service organisations, who work with families in need - we also stand ready with key stakeholders, which importantly includes children and families, to make this initiative successful. Drawing on our service expertise and in consideration of the Inquiry’s terms of reference, we urge the Committee’s attention to four focus areas that we believe will be critical to the success of Thriving Kids:
Implementation matters
- Strengthen and integrate community, health and education systems and services
- Respect, empower and build on existing place-based services and partnerships
- Embed collaborative commissioning practices aligned to an outcomes focus
Participant involvement matters
- Adopt a child-centred lens
- Co-design with children and families
Equity and inclusion matters
- Account for families' range of resources and capabilities
- Ensure accessible, flexible and culturally appropriate service options
Workforce matters
- Address worker shortages in allied health, early education and care services, schools and the care sector
- Explore opportunities for peer workers and families to assist service delivery