A federal proposal to move children with milder developmental delay or autism off the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and into a new program, Thriving Kids, has sparked widespread concern among community members, organisations and advocates including the CREATE Foundation.
CREATE Foundation is calling on the Federal Government to reconsider the proposal and ensure children in care with autism and developmental delays remain supported under the NDIS.
Imogen Edeson, CEO at CREATE Foundation warns that the changes could have unintended consequences for children and young people growing up in out-of-home care.
“These changes could increase barriers to support for children and young people in out-of-home care, leading to compounding disadvantage and exclusion through their lives.
Young people are the future, and we can’t risk them missing out on essential diagnostic services, early interventions and therapies critical to their development and long-term wellbeing.
CREATE advocates for children in state care to receive priority access to health services and supports so that they are supported to thrive into their adult lives.”
This issue goes to the heart of CREATE Foundation’s advocacy for the health and wellbeing of children and young people in care.
Our priorities include:
Comprehensive health assessments
– Health and developmental assessments for all children entering care.
– Annual health assessments while in care to monitor and address ongoing needs.
Improved access in regional areas
– Enhancements to healthcare services for children and young people living in regional and remote areas.
Priority access to services
– Priority and fast-tracked pathways to diagnostic services and NDIS supports for children and young people in care.
Targeted mental health supports
– Trauma-informed and responsive mental health service models, tailored to the needs of children and young people in care.
Collaboration across systems
– Strengthened collaboration between child safety, disability and health systems to ensure seamless access to interventions and supports.
CREATE Foundation strongly urges the government to protect children in care by prioritising their access to health services and supports.
CREATE Foundation is the Australian national consumer body representing the voices of children and young people with an out-of-home care experience. We provide programs to children and young people with an out-of-home care experience. We listen to what those with lived experience tell us, and advocate with and for them to achieve systemic change. CREATE is a national leader in child and youth participation in Australia, bringing 25 years of child voice and participation expertise.
*ENDS*
For further comment from CREATE Foundation’s CEO, Imogen Edeson, contact Taylor Toovey, Communications and Media Specialist via (m) 0478 814 752 or taylor.toovey@create.org.au
Key statistics on out-of-home care in Australia
- There are currently around 44,900 children and young people in out-of-home (OOHC) care nationally (AIHW, 2024).
- As of 30 June 2024, of the 44,900 people in out-of-home care, 20,000 were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children (AIHW, 2024).
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). Child protection Australia 2023–24. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/child-protection/child-protection-australia-2023-24/contents/about
