Inquiry into Foundational and Disability Supports Available for Children and Young People in New South Wales

Submission No 83

INQUIRY INTO FOUNDATIONAL AND DISABILITY SUPPORTS AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN NEW SOUTH WALES

Organisation: Cowra Information & Neighbourhood Centre Date Received: 7 August 2026

Partially Confidential

CINC Cowra Information & Neighbourhood Centre Supporting people. Strengthening community.

FOUNDATIONAL SUPPORTS

Submission to the New South Wales Legislative Council Committee Inquiry into Foundational Supports for Children, Young People and Families

AUGUST 2026 Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre (CINC)

CINC is a community-owned organisation with more than 40 years’ experience delivering integrated, evidence-informed supports that build the strength of children, families and communities across regional New South Wales.

FAMILY SUPPORT SUPPORTED PLAYGROUPS DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING PARENTING PROGRAMS WARM REFERRALS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

PROUDLY SERVING COWRA, CABONNE AND WEDDIN We work alongside families, Aboriginal organisations, schools, early childhood education providers, health services, allied health professionals, local government and community partners to deliver coordinated, locally accessible support.

Locally rooted. Community owned. Future focused.

15 Vaux St Cowra 2794 02 63401100 corporate@cinc.org.au www.cinc.org.au

Ms Fran Stead CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre (CINC)

Executive Summary - page 3

About Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre - page 5

Response to the Terms of Reference - page 7

(a) Role of early intervention and support
(b) Types of services and improving access
(c) Diagnostic services
(d) Gaps and barriers
(e) Collaboration across sectors
(f) Best practice models
(g) Workforce
(h) Implementing national reform recommendations
(i) Other related matters

Consolidated Recommendations - page 16

Conclusion - page 18

Acknowledgment - page 20

References - page 217

Response to Select Committee Inquiry on Foundational and Disability Supports Available for Children and Young People in New South Wales

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1. WHY REGIONAL FAMILIES MISS OUT

Children in regional, rural and remote communities face barriers that delay support and limit potential.

WORKFORCE SHORTAGES Limited access to allied health and specialist services.
LONG TRAVEL DISTANCES Families travel hours for assessments and therapy.
DIAGNOSTIC DELAYS Long waitlists mean concerns are not identified early enough.
FRAGMENTED SERVICES Families navigate multiple systems with no single entry point.
LIMITED EARLY INTERVENTION Fewer local programs mean children miss critical early support.
FAMILY STRESS Isolation, uncertainty and pressure impact family wellbeing.

FOUNDATIONAL SUPPORTS REDUCE BARRIERS BEFORE NEEDS ESCALATE.

Executive Summary

Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre (CINC) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Select Committee’s Inquiry into Foundational and Disability Supports Available for Children and Young People in New South Wales.

For more than 40 years, CINC has supported children, young people and families across Cowra and surrounding communities through family support, early intervention, disability services, youth services and community development. As a trusted neighbourhood centre, CINC provides a welcoming, community-led entry point where families seek help early, build trusted relationships and access coordinated support. This frontline experience provides CINC with practical insight into both the strengths of the current system and the persistent barriers that continue to delay timely support for children and families in regional New South Wales.

CINC strongly supports the introduction of Foundational Supports and welcomes the NSW Government’s response to the Committee’s Interim Report, which recognises the importance of earlier intervention, stronger coordination and improved support for children with developmental concerns. We believe these reforms provide a significant opportunity to build a system that responds to children’s developmental needs rather than waiting for diagnosis, funding eligibility or crisis. Many children with developmental concerns do not meet the criteria for specialist disability services, yet still require practical assistance to communicate, learn, regulate emotions, participate in early learning and transition successfully to school. As implementation progresses, it will be critical that these reforms remain genuinely community-led, place- based, adequately funded and responsive to the needs of regional, rural and remote communities.

Throughout consultation on Foundational Supports, families, communities and service providers consistently highlighted the importance of trusted local organisations, integrated service delivery, cultural safety and early intervention. CINC supports these priorities and believes implementation should continue to reflect the voices of communities by strengthening the organisations that already hold trusted relationships, understand local need and work collaboratively across sectors. Foundational Supports should build upon existing community infrastructure rather than creating parallel service systems.

Families in regional New South Wales face additional challenges. Long waiting lists, workforce shortages, travel distances and limited access to specialist assessments mean children often wait many months for help. During this time, families are expected to navigate health, education, disability and community systems largely on their own. The burden is greatest for families already experiencing financial hardship, housing stress, family violence, mental health concerns or social isolation. Families should experience a genuine “no wrong door” system where they can seek support through trusted local organisations and be connected seamlessly to the services they need without repeatedly navigating multiple systems or retelling their story.

CINC’s experience is that the most effective support is early, local, family-centred and coordinated. Children achieve the best outcomes when neighbourhood centres, families, schools, early childhood education providers, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, health services and disability providers work together around the child. Trusted community organisations play a unique role by identifying concerns early, building long-term relationships, coordinating referrals and remaining alongside families throughout their journey. Foundational Supports should strengthen not only children’s development but also the capability and confidence of parents, carers and kin, recognising that families are the primary influence on children’s development, wellbeing and long-term outcomes.

Early support should also be recognised as a preventative investment. Every developmental concern addressed early reduces the likelihood of more intensive intervention later, benefiting not only children and families but also reducing long-term demand across health, education, child protection, youth justice, mental health and disability systems. Investing in trusted community organisations that provide early intervention, family capacity building and coordinated support represents both sound public policy and responsible investment in the future wellbeing of regional communities.

This submission responds directly to each Term of Reference and provides practical recommendations to strengthen a community-led, family-centred, culturally safe and regionally responsive Foundational Supports system. It reflects the themes identified throughout the Committee’s Interim Report while drawing on CINC’s more than 40 years of frontline experience supporting children and families in regional New South Wales. CINC believes Foundational Supports can strengthen families, build community capability, reduce pressure on other government systems and give every child the best possible opportunity to thrive. Success should ultimately be measured by whether children receive support earlier, families experience simpler pathways, communities are empowered to support their own children, and regional, rural and remote families achieve equitable access regardless of where they live.

“Children should receive support when concerns are first identified, not only when they finally become eligible.”

From Waiting to Early Support: Current Child Development Pathway Compared with the Proposed Foundational Supports Model

The current service system often requires children and families to wait for assessment, diagnosis and eligibility decisions before practical support can begin. During this time, developmental concerns may escalate, placing additional pressure on children, families and other service systems.

The proposed Foundational Supports model shifts the focus from waiting for eligibility to responding to identified developmental need. Children can receive timely, practical support as soon as concerns are recognised, while specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention continue in parallel. This approach reflects the intent of the NSW Government’s response to the Committee’s Interim Report and the broader national disability reform agenda by promoting earlier intervention, coordinated service delivery and improved outcomes for children and families.

For regional, rural and remote communities, this model also recognises the importance of trusted local organisations providing family navigation, care coordination and practical support while families access specialist services. By intervening earlier, Foundational Supports have the potential to improve child development, strengthen family wellbeing and reduce long-term demand on health, education, child protection and justice systems.

Why Reform is Needed

Children’s development cannot be placed on hold while families wait for assessment, diagnosis or eligibility decisions. Yet this remains the experience of many children across regional New South Wales.

Families regularly identify developmental concerns months before they receive specialist assessment. During this period, children continue to develop, parents become increasingly anxious and opportunities for early intervention are lost. These delays are often greatest in regional, rural and remote communities, where workforce shortages, travel distances and limited specialist services create additional barriers to accessing timely support.

The evidence presented to the Select Committee, together with CINC’s frontline experience, demonstrates that the current system is often fragmented and difficult for families to navigate. Parents are required to coordinate multiple services with different referral pathways, eligibility requirements and waiting lists, while trying to support their child’s development.

Foundational Supports provide an opportunity to redesign this experience. Rather than requiring families to wait until a child qualifies for specialist services, the proposed reforms recognise that practical assistance should begin as soon as developmental concerns are identified.

This submission supports that direction and is based on one central principle:

Every child deserves timely support, regardless of where they live or whether they have received a formal diagnosis.

The recommendations that follow are informed by more than 40 years of CINC’s experience working alongside children and families across regional New South Wales and are intended to support practical implementation of Foundational Supports that are:

Early rather than delayed
Family-centred rather than service-centred
Coordinated rather than fragmented
Place-based rather than one-size-fits-all
Equitable regardless of postcode

About Cowra Information & Neighbourhood Centre

Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre (CINC) is a community-owned, not-for-profit neighbourhood centre that has served Cowra and surrounding communities for more than 40 years. As a trusted regional organisation, CINC is often able to identify developmental concerns early, provide practical assistance, coordinate referrals, support communication between services and maintain engagement with families

while they wait for specialist assessment, diagnosis or intervention. Staff work alongside parents, carers and kin to build confidence, strengthen family capability and ensure children receive the right support at the right time through coordinated, locally accessible pathways. This experience has demonstrated that effective early intervention is not simply about providing another service—it is about connecting children and families with the right support, at the right time, through a community-led, integrated and place-based service system.

CINC’s experience strongly reflects the evidence presented throughout the Committee’s Interim Report, particularly in relation to fragmented service systems, workforce shortages, diagnostic delays and inequitable access to services in regional, rural and remote New South Wales. As a trusted neighbourhood centre embedded within its community, CINC sees firsthand how strong local relationships, community connection, cultural capability and collaboration across health, education, disability and community sectors improve engagement and outcomes for children and families. Families frequently seek support from CINC because they trust the organisation, know they will be welcomed without judgement and value having a single, local organisation that can help them navigate what is often a complex and fragmented service system.

This submission is informed by more than 40 years of frontline service delivery and reflects the realities facing children and families living in regional New South Wales. It also reflects CINC’s belief that the future success of Foundational Supports will depend on strengthening community-led organisations as essential partners in delivering early intervention, family navigation, care coordination and integrated, place-based supports. Building on existing community infrastructure, rather than creating parallel systems, will strengthen communities, improve access for families and deliver more sustainable outcomes for children across New South Wales.

Key Themes in this Submission

Support should begin when developmental concerns are first identified, not only after formal diagnosis or eligibility decisions.
Foundational Supports should be preventative, recognising that early intervention improves outcomes for children while reducing long-term demand on health, education, child protection and justice systems.
Families need simple, coordinated pathways through health, education, disability and community services, supported by trusted local organisations that provide navigation and care coordination.
Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and trusted local community organisations are essential partners in delivering culturally safe, place-based Foundational Supports.
Workforce shortages, travel distances and limited specialist services require flexible, place-based funding and delivery models that recognise the realities of regional, rural and remote New South Wales.
Success should be measured by improved child outcomes, reduced waiting times, stronger family experiences and equitable access to services regardless of where children live.

2. THE CINC DIFFERENCE

A trusted local hub connecting children, families and community

[Image not converted to Markdown – “CINC Difference Diagram” – check the source PDF page for the actual content]

CINC brings people and services together so children and families can get the right support, at the right time.

Response to the Terms of Reference

(a) The role of child development, early childhood intervention services and other foundational and disability supports in a child’s overall development, health and wellbeing

Early childhood is a critical period in a child’s development. During these formative years, timely support can significantly improve communication, learning, social participation, emotional regulation and independence, while also strengthening family wellbeing and reduce the need for more intensive intervention later in life.

From CINC’s experience, the value of early intervention extends well beyond addressing developmental delays or disability. It builds family confidence, strengthens children’s participation in early learning and school, and improves long-term health and wellbeing outcomes. Parents consistently tell CINC that receiving practical support early helps them better understand their child’s needs and gives them confidence to support development at home.

Conversely, delayed intervention often results in children experiencing greater difficulty at preschool and school, increased social isolation and more complex behavioural or developmental challenges. Families also experience stress, financial pressure and uncertainty while navigating multiple services and lengthy waiting lists. These experiences are consistent with the evidence presented to the Committee throughout this Inquiry and reinforce the need for a system that responds when concerns are first identified, rather than after eligibility thresholds have been met.

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Many children supported by CINC are also experiencing broader social challenges, including housing insecurity, financial hardship, family violence or parental mental health concerns. These issues cannot be separated from child development. The best outcomes occur when services recognise the needs of the whole family rather than focusing only on diagnosis or disability. Aboriginal children and families, particularly those living in regional communities, continue to experience disproportionate barriers to timely assessment and support, highlighting the importance of culturally safe, locally delivered and community-led services.

CINC believes early childhood intervention should be available when developmental concerns are first identified, not only after a formal diagnosis or confirmation of eligibility for specialist services. This approach aligns with the intent of Foundational Supports, the NSW Government’s response to the Committee’s Interim Report and the broader national disability reform agenda. It also reflects what families consistently tell us they need—timely, practical assistance during the years when intervention has the greatest impact.

For regional families, early intervention provides reassurance, direction and practical support. Many parents approach services knowing that something is not right but without a clear pathway forward. A timely response can reduce anxiety, build confidence and prevent families from disengaging from the service system while waiting for assessment or specialist intervention.

Foundational Supports should therefore be understood as more than a disability response. They are a preventative investment in child development, family capacity and community wellbeing. Every developmental concern addressed early represents an opportunity to improve lifelong outcomes while reducing future demand on health, education, child protection, justice and mental health systems. Investing early is both sound public policy and sound economic policy.

For Foundational Supports to achieve their intended purpose, children must be able to access practical assistance based on developmental need rather than diagnosis alone. Success should ultimately be measured by whether children receive support earlier, families experience simpler pathways through services and regional, rural and remote communities achieve equitable access regardless of where they live.

CINC Position: Early childhood intervention should begin when developmental concerns are first identified and should strengthen both the child and family through coordinated, family-centred and place-based support.

(b) The types of services and supports available and measures to improve effectiveness, availability and access of services and supports across New South Wales

New South Wales has a broad range of services that support children with developmental concerns and disability, including Child and Family Health services, paediatricians, allied health professionals, early childhood education providers, schools, NDIS providers, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and community organisations. Each plays an important role in supporting children’s development and family wellbeing.

From CINC’s perspective, the challenge is not that services do not exist. Rather, families often experience them as disconnected systems with different referral pathways, eligibility requirements and waiting times. Parents are frequently required to coordinate services themselves, often while already under considerable stress. Families do not experience separate government systems—they experience one journey. The service system should be designed to reflect that reality.

These challenges are significantly greater in regional New South Wales. Families in Cowra and surrounding communities regularly face lengthy waiting periods for paediatricians, psychologists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists. When local services are unavailable, families may need to

travel to Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo or Sydney, creating financial, emotional and practical barriers that delay access to support.

Community organisations play an essential role in bridging these gaps. CINC is often the first place families seek help because it provides trusted, local support while they navigate more complex systems. Staff assist families to understand referral pathways, communicate with schools and health professionals, coordinate services, provide practical assistance and maintain engagement while children wait for specialist assessment or intervention.

CINC believes Foundational Supports should better connect existing services rather than create additional layers. Effective service delivery should be built around collaboration between health, education, disability and community sectors so children experience one coordinated pathway rather than multiple disconnected services. This reflects the direction of the NSW Government’s response to the Committee’s Interim Report, which recognises the need for earlier intervention, improved coordination and more accessible support for children and families.

Improving access requires more than increasing the number of services. Families need clear entry points, warm referrals and funded family navigation so that services work together rather than expecting parents to manage the system alone. There should be a genuine “no wrong door” approach, where families receive timely assistance regardless of which service they contact first.

Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and trusted local community organisations should be recognised as essential delivery partners. Their cultural knowledge, community relationships and local presence enable earlier engagement, improve trust and support better outcomes for Aboriginal children and families.

In regional, rural and remote communities, service models must also account for distance, travel costs and workforce availability. Flexible outreach, multidisciplinary partnerships, telehealth where appropriate and locally delivered place-based services are all essential if children are to receive equitable access regardless of where they live.

CINC Position: Foundational Supports should connect existing services through an integrated, place- based and family-centred model that provides every family with a simple pathway to support, regardless of where they enter the service system.

(c) The role of diagnostic services, existing gaps and barriers, and measures to improve effectiveness, availability and access

Diagnostic services play an essential role in identifying developmental concerns, understanding a child’s strengths and support needs, and informing appropriate intervention. For many children, diagnosis also assists with access to specialist services, educational adjustments and, where appropriate, NDIS funding. Accurate and timely diagnosis provides families, educators and service providers with greater certainty and helps guide long-term planning.

However, CINC’s experience is that the pathway to diagnosis is often lengthy and difficult for families, particularly in regional New South Wales. Long waiting times for paediatricians, psychologists and multidisciplinary assessment teams mean many children wait months, and sometimes years, before receiving a formal diagnosis. These delays occur during the most critical period of child development, when early intervention has the greatest capacity to improve lifelong outcomes.

During this period, children’s development does not stop. Parents frequently tell CINC they recognised concerns well before seeking specialist assessment. Early childhood educators, schools and health professionals often identify similar concerns, yet practical support is commonly delayed until assessment

processes are complete. Families should not have to wait for a diagnosis before receiving assistance that is known to improve a child’s development and participation.

In regional communities, these barriers are compounded by workforce shortages, distance and limited availability of specialist services. Families may need to travel several hours to attend appointments, often requiring time away from work and significant travel costs. Missed or cancelled appointments can result in further delays, increased stress and prolonged uncertainty for children and families.

CINC believes diagnosis should guide intervention, not determine whether support is available. Many practical strategies that assist children—including parent coaching, communication support, behaviour strategies, developmental activities and coordinated family support—can begin as soon as developmental concerns are identified. Improving access to diagnostic services should occur alongside Foundational Supports that provide assistance based on developmental need rather than diagnosis alone.

This approach reflects the direction of the NSW Government’s response to the Committee’s Interim Report and the broader national disability reform agenda, which seeks to ensure children receive earlier support while assessment and specialist intervention continue in parallel. Diagnosis remains important, but it should no longer represent the point at which support begins.

A more effective system would enable assessment, intervention and family support to occur concurrently. This would reduce unnecessary delays, improve developmental outcomes and provide families with confidence that they are not navigating the system alone while waiting for specialist services.

Improving diagnostic pathways will require increased investment in the regional workforce, multidisciplinary assessment teams, outreach services, telehealth where clinically appropriate and stronger collaboration between health, education, disability and community sectors. These measures will help ensure children receive timely assessment while also accessing practical support when it is needed most.

CINC Position: Diagnosis should inform intervention, but practical support should begin when developmental concerns are first identified. Foundational Supports should ensure that no child is required to wait for a diagnosis before receiving assistance that can improve their development, participation and wellbeing.

“Families experience one journey, not separate service systems.”

(d) Gaps and barriers to accessing early childhood intervention and their impact on children, families and other systems

Early childhood intervention is most effective when support is provided as soon as developmental concerns are identified. However, many children continue to face significant barriers to accessing timely intervention, particularly in regional, rural and remote New South Wales. These barriers delay support during the most critical years of child development, when early intervention has the greatest capacity to improve lifelong outcomes.

The most common barriers include long waiting lists, limited availability of specialist services, workforce shortages, complex referral pathways, transport challenges and strict eligibility requirements. These barriers rarely occur in isolation. Instead, families often experience several of them simultaneously, making it increasingly difficult to access the right support at the right time.

For children, delayed intervention can have lasting consequences. Difficulties with communication, learning, behaviour and social development may become more pronounced, affecting school readiness, educational participation, emotional wellbeing and social inclusion. Challenges that may have been addressed through relatively simple, early support can become increasingly complex and require more intensive intervention if left unaddressed.

Families are also significantly affected. Parents consistently describe feeling overwhelmed by navigating multiple services while trying to support their child’s development. Many experience financial pressure associated with travel, time away from work, accommodation costs and privately funded assessments or therapy. These challenges are magnified for families already experiencing financial hardship, housing instability, family violence, mental health concerns or social isolation.

For Aboriginal families and those living in regional communities, these barriers are often compounded by workforce shortages, distance, limited local services and the need for culturally safe and accessible supports. Place-based, community-led approaches are essential to ensuring equitable access and improving outcomes.

Delayed intervention also places increasing pressure on other government systems. Schools are required to support children whose developmental needs have not been addressed early. Health services experience greater demand for specialist assessment and intervention, while child protection, family support, mental health and, in some cases, justice systems become involved as family stress and unmet needs escalate. These impacts demonstrate that early intervention is not only beneficial for children—it is also a sound investment across the broader service system.

The impact of delayed support is cumulative. A child waiting for speech pathology may also experience increasing frustration, reduced participation in early learning, behavioural challenges, difficulties forming friendships and a more challenging transition to school. The longer support is delayed, the greater the likelihood that additional services will be required over time.

CINC believes Foundational Supports provide an opportunity to change this trajectory. By responding to developmental concerns when they are first identified, children can receive practical support while assessment and specialist intervention occur in parallel. This reflects the intent of the NSW Government’s response to the Committee’s Interim Report and the broader national reform agenda, which seeks to provide earlier, more coordinated and family-centred support.

Early intervention is therefore both a developmental priority and a preventative investment. It strengthens children’s development, builds family capacity, improves educational participation and reduces long-term demand across health, education, child protection, mental health and justice systems. Investing earlier produces better outcomes for children, stronger families and more sustainable public services.

CINC Position: Reducing barriers to early intervention through coordinated, place-based Foundational Supports will improve outcomes for children and families while reducing long-term pressure across multiple government systems.

(e) Opportunities to increase engagement and improve collaboration across government and non-government services

No single organisation can meet all the needs of children with developmental concerns or disabilities. Effective early intervention depends on strong partnerships between families, health services, early childhood education providers, schools, disability providers, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, community organisations and government agencies. When these services work together, children receive more timely, coordinated and effective support.

From CINC’s experience, the best outcomes occur when services work collaboratively around the child and family rather than operating independently. Families do not experience health, education, disability and community services as separate systems—they experience one journey. A collaborative service system should reflect that reality by providing simple, coordinated pathways that reduce duplication, minimise delays and improve the overall experience for children and families.

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In regional communities, collaboration is particularly important because workforce shortages, distance and limited specialist services require organisations to maximise local capacity and share expertise. No single organisation can provide every service, but together organisations can deliver integrated support that is responsive to local needs.

Community organisations play a vital role within this system. Families often approach CINC before engaging with health or disability services because they trust the organisation and know they will receive practical advice, timely support and assistance navigating complex systems. These trusted relationships enable developmental concerns to be identified earlier, referrals to be coordinated, barriers to be addressed and families to remain engaged while waiting for specialist assessment or intervention.

Early childhood education providers and schools are also critical partners. Educators are frequently among the first to recognise developmental concerns and can provide valuable information about a child’s participation, learning, communication and social development. Strong communication between educators, families and support services allows concerns to be identified earlier and ensures children receive consistent support across home, education and community settings.

CINC also recognises the essential role of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other Aboriginal-led organisations. Aboriginal children and families achieve better outcomes when services are culturally safe, community-led and delivered in genuine partnership with organisations that have established trust, cultural authority and strong local relationships. These partnerships should be embedded within the design and delivery of Foundational Supports rather than added as an afterthought.

Collaboration, however, does not occur automatically. Effective coordination requires dedicated time, skilled staff and appropriate funding. Case conferencing, warm referrals, multidisciplinary planning, information sharing (with appropriate consent), family navigation and ongoing communication are essential components of quality service delivery and should be recognised as core activities rather than unfunded expectations.

CINC believes Foundational Supports should adopt a genuine “no wrong door” approach. Families should be able to seek help from any participating service and receive timely assistance without being redirected through multiple referral pathways or required to repeatedly tell their story. Trusted local organisations should be funded to provide family navigation and care coordination so that children receive support earlier and families remain connected throughout their journey.

This collaborative, place-based approach reflects both the intent of the NSW Government’s response to the Committee’s Interim Report and the broader national disability reform agenda. Strong local partnerships, shared accountability and coordinated service delivery will be essential to achieving equitable outcomes for children across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote New South Wales.

CINC Position: Collaboration should be embedded, resourced and funded as a core feature of Foundational Supports, ensuring every child and family can access coordinated, culturally safe and locally responsive support through a simple, integrated and family-centred service system.

(f) Other government or best practice child development and early childhood intervention service models and programs operating outside New South Wales

Across Australia and internationally, successful child development and early intervention systems share several common principles. While individual service models differ, the strongest systems provide support early, are centred on the child and family, encourage collaboration across health, education and community services, and focus on improving developmental outcomes rather than simply delivering services.

The national disability reform agenda, including the NDIS Review and the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission, has reinforced the importance of Foundational Supports that are available to

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children based on developmental need rather than diagnosis alone. This represents a significant shift from crisis intervention towards prevention, early support and coordinated service delivery.

From CINC’s perspective, New South Wales does not need to replicate a single model from another jurisdiction. Instead, it should adopt the elements of best practice that consistently improve outcomes: early identification, integrated service delivery, family-centred practice, culturally safe services, strong Aboriginal partnerships, flexible place-based approaches, multidisciplinary collaboration and outcome-focused accountability.

For regional, rural and remote communities, best practice also means recognising that local solutions are often the most effective. Strong community organisations, trusted relationships and multidisciplinary partnerships provide a solid foundation on which Foundational Supports can be built. Regional communities require flexibility in how services are delivered while maintaining equitable access and consistent statewide standards.

Best practice also recognises parents and carers as equal partners in intervention. Families should be empowered with practical strategies they can use during everyday routines and supported by trusted professionals who provide guidance, navigation and coordinated care throughout their child’s developmental journey. Intervention should strengthen the capacity of families, not create greater dependence on specialist services.

Importantly, successful systems measure outcomes rather than activity alone. Governments should evaluate whether children are receiving support earlier, whether families are experiencing simpler pathways through services, whether waiting times are reducing and whether children’s developmental outcomes are improving. These measures provide a more meaningful indication of success than simply reporting the number of services delivered.

The NSW Government’s response to the Committee’s Interim Report provides an opportunity to build on these best practice principles. By embedding prevention, collaboration, regional flexibility and accountability into the design of Foundational Supports, New South Wales can develop a system that reflects both international evidence and the unique needs of local communities.

CINC believes New South Wales has an opportunity not only to learn from other jurisdictions, but to become a national leader in delivering an early, integrated and place-based Foundational Supports system. Success will depend on combining evidence-based practice with local knowledge, strong partnerships and sustained investment in children, families and communities.

CINC Position: New South Wales should build a Foundational Supports system that reflects national and international best practice by being early, integrated, family-centred, culturally safe, outcome-focused and responsive to the unique needs of regional, rural and remote communities.

(g) Workforce issues in the child development and early childhood intervention sectors

A skilled, sustainable and appropriately supported workforce is fundamental to the success of Foundational Supports. Regardless of how services are funded or designed, children cannot access timely support if appropriately qualified professionals are unavailable. Workforce capacity is therefore one of the most significant determinants of whether the proposed reforms will achieve their intended outcomes.

From CINC’s experience, workforce shortages remain one of the greatest barriers to early intervention across regional, rural and remote New South Wales. Recruitment challenges exist across paediatrics, psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work, disability services, family support and early childhood intervention. These shortages contribute directly to long waiting times, increased travel for families, reduced access to specialist services and inequitable outcomes for regional children.

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The impact extends beyond health professionals. Community organisations also experience significant difficulty recruiting and retaining experienced family support workers, disability practitioners, key workers and care coordinators who play a critical role in identifying developmental concerns, supporting families and helping them navigate complex service systems. Without these practitioners, even well-designed service models cannot operate effectively.

Regional communities require a workforce strategy that goes well beyond recruitment. Long-term solutions should focus on workforce attraction, retention, supervision, professional development, leadership development, career progression and multidisciplinary team approaches. Investment in local education partnerships, university and TAFE placements, graduate pathways and ongoing mentoring is essential to building a workforce that is more likely to live, work and remain in regional communities over the long term.

CINC also recognises the importance of growing and sustaining the Aboriginal workforce. Aboriginal practitioners bring cultural knowledge, trusted relationships and lived experience that improve engagement, strengthen cultural safety and deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal children and families. Workforce strategies should actively support Aboriginal recruitment, professional development and leadership opportunities across the child development and disability sectors.

Workforce shortages are experienced by families as waiting lists. Every vacant position represents children waiting longer for assessment, therapy, family support or service navigation during the most important years of their development. Delays caused by workforce shortages undermine the objectives of Foundational Supports and increase pressure across health, education and family support systems.

The NSW Government’s response to the Committee’s Interim Report recognises that workforce capacity will be central to successful implementation of Foundational Supports. Achieving equitable access across New South Wales will require long-term investment in regional workforce development rather than short-term recruitment initiatives alone.

Building local workforce pathways is one of the most sustainable solutions. People who train, undertake placements and establish professional networks within regional communities are significantly more likely to remain in those communities, providing continuity of care and strengthening local service systems over time.

A successful workforce strategy should also recognise the value of multidisciplinary teams and trusted local organisations. Bringing together health professionals, educators, family support workers, disability practitioners and Aboriginal organisations creates a more coordinated response for children and families while making the most effective use of scarce regional resources.

CINC Position: A long-term regional workforce strategy must be a central pillar of Foundational Supports, supported by sustained investment in recruitment, retention, professional development, Aboriginal workforce growth, multidisciplinary practice and locally based career pathways to ensure every child can access timely support regardless of where they live.

(h) Measures to implement recommendations of the NDIS Review Final Report and Disability Royal Commission Final Report in relation to Foundational Supports

CINC strongly supports the direction of reform outlined in both the NDIS Review Final Report and the Disability Royal Commission Final Report. While each report examines different aspects of the disability system, both identify the need for earlier intervention, better coordination, greater inclusion and improved support for children and families. Together, these reforms present an important opportunity to redesign the service system so that children receive support based on developmental need rather than waiting for diagnosis, eligibility decisions or crisis.

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The NSW Government’s response to the Committee’s Interim Report reinforces this direction by recognizing the importance of Foundational Supports as part of broader national disability reform. CINC welcomes this commitment and believes implementation should now focus on delivering practical improvements that children and families can experience in their everyday lives.

From CINC’s perspective, Foundational Supports provide New South Wales with an opportunity to address longstanding gaps for children who have developmental concerns but do not meet eligibility criteria for specialist disability services. For many families, these children currently fall between existing systems, resulting in delayed intervention and increasing developmental disadvantage during the years when support is most effective.

Successful implementation will require more than additional funding. It will require a service system that is integrated, locally responsive and centred on children and families. Support should be available according to developmental need rather than diagnosis alone, and families should experience simpler, coordinated pathways across health, education, disability and community services. A genuine “no wrong door” approach should ensure families receive assistance regardless of where they first seek help.

Implementation must also recognise the unique challenges facing regional, rural and remote New South Wales. Workforce shortages, distance, travel costs and limited specialist services require flexible, place-based delivery models that can respond to local circumstances while maintaining equitable access and consistent statewide standards.

Trusted community organisations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations should be recognised as essential implementation partners. These organisations already provide early identification, family engagement, care coordination, culturally safe practice and strong local relationships that are fundamental to the success of Foundational Supports. Their role should be formally recognised and appropriately funded as part of the new service system.

The national reform agenda should be implemented in a way that is practical, simple and responsive for local communities. If Foundational Supports become another complex layer of eligibility criteria, referral pathways or fragmented programs, families will continue to experience confusion and unnecessary delays. Reform should simplify the service system rather than add to its complexity.

Successful implementation should also include clear accountability and ongoing evaluation. Government should measure whether children are receiving support earlier, whether waiting times are reducing, whether families are finding services easier to navigate, whether Aboriginal children are achieving equitable outcomes, and whether regional communities are receiving the same opportunities as metropolitan areas. Measuring these outcomes will provide a stronger indication of success than reporting service activity alone.

Ultimately, implementation should focus on early assistance, family-centred practice, local accountability, continuous improvement and strong partnerships with the organisations that families already know and trust. By embedding these principles from the outset, Foundational Supports can deliver lasting improvements for children, families and communities across New South Wales.

CINC Position: Foundational Supports should be implemented as a child-centred, family-focused and regionally responsive reform that delivers earlier intervention, integrated service delivery, culturally safe practice, strong local partnerships and measurable improvements in outcomes for children and families across New South Wales.

(i) Any other related matter

CINC believes the success of Foundational Supports will ultimately depend on whether the service system becomes simpler, more accessible and more responsive for children and families. While funding,

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governance and program design are important, the true measure of success will be whether families experience earlier support, clearer pathways and better outcomes for their children.

Families do not experience health, education, disability and community services as separate systems—they experience one journey. When services are fragmented, difficult to navigate or delayed by eligibility requirements, children miss valuable opportunities for early intervention and families become increasingly overwhelmed. A successful system should remove unnecessary complexity rather than expect families to navigate it.

Future reforms should focus on reducing fragmentation instead of creating additional layers of programs, assessments or referral pathways. From CINC’s experience, children achieve the best outcomes when support is available early, services work collaboratively and families have access to a trusted local organisation that can provide family navigation, care coordination and practical assistance throughout their journey.

Foundational Supports also provide an opportunity to strengthen local communities. Investing in trusted community organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and multidisciplinary partnerships will help build sustainable local service systems that respond to community needs while improving access for children and families living in regional, rural and remote New South Wales.

Ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement will be essential. Government should work closely with children, families, Aboriginal communities, people with lived experience and frontline service providers to ensure Foundational Supports continue to evolve in response to community needs. Evaluation should focus not only on service activity but also on measurable improvements in child development, family wellbeing, access to services, waiting times, cultural safety and equitable outcomes across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities.

CINC encourages the Committee to consider how the reform will feel from the perspective of a parent seeking help for their child. A successful system should be easy to find, easy to understand and responsive before concerns escalate. Parents should not need to understand the structure of government or the boundaries between agencies in order to access the support their child needs.

Ultimately, the central question should be whether children are receiving meaningful support earlier than they do today. If children are identified sooner, families are better supported, waiting times are reduced, services work together more effectively and regional communities experience equitable access, then Foundational Supports will have achieved their purpose.

This submission reflects CINC’s experience supporting children and families in regional New South Wales for more than four decades. It is informed by practical service delivery, strong local partnerships and a shared commitment to ensuring every child can reach their full potential. CINC welcomes the opportunity to continue working with the NSW Government, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, peak bodies and community partners to support the successful implementation of Foundational Supports across New South Wales.

CINC Position: The success of Foundational Supports should be measured by earlier intervention, simpler service pathways, stronger collaboration, culturally safe and place-based service delivery, measurable improvements in child and family outcomes, and equitable access for children regardless of where they live.

Consolidated Recommendations

The recommendations in this submission are based on Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre’s experience supporting children, young people and families across regional New South Wales for more than 40 years. Together they provide a practical framework for implementing Foundational Supports that are

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child-centred, family-focused, culturally safe and responsive to the needs of metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities.

Early Intervention

Recommendation 1: Develop Foundational Supports as an early intervention system that provides children and families with timely access to practical developmental support when concerns are first identified, without requiring a formal diagnosis where appropriate.

Recommendation 2: Reduce waiting times for developmental assessment and intervention by increasing specialist child development services, multidisciplinary outreach, telehealth where clinically appropriate and flexible regional service delivery models.

Recommendation 3: Ensure children receive support based on developmental need and functional impact, recognising that intervention should commence alongside assessment rather than after eligibility has been determined.

Integrated and Family-Centred Services

Recommendation 4: Fund family navigation and care coordination as core components of Foundational Supports so families have a single, coordinated pathway through health, education, disability and community services.

Recommendation 5: Adopt a genuine “no wrong door” approach, ensuring families can access timely support regardless of which participating service they contact first.

Recommendation 6: Strengthen collaboration between government agencies, community organisations, schools, early childhood education providers, health services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations through locally coordinated, place-based service models.

Recommendation 7: Recognise and appropriately fund trusted community organisations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations as essential partners in the design, delivery and continuous improvement of Foundational Supports

Regional Access and Workforce

Recommendation 8: Develop a long-term regional workforce strategy that improves recruitment, retention, supervision, leadership development, professional development, multidisciplinary practice and locally based career pathways across child development, disability and family support services.

Recommendation 9: Invest in growing and sustaining the Aboriginal workforce through targeted recruitment, training, mentoring and leadership opportunities across child development and disability services.

Recommendation 10: Adopt flexible, place-based funding models that recognise the higher costs of delivering services in regional, rural and remote New South Wales, including workforce attraction, outreach, travel and multidisciplinary service delivery.

Accountability and Continuous Improvement

Recommendation 11: Measure the success of Foundational Supports through improved child development outcomes, family wellbeing, reduced waiting times, stronger collaboration, simpler service pathways and equitable access for regional communities, rather than service activity alone.

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Recommendation 12: Publish annual public reporting on Foundational Supports, including waiting times, regional access, Aboriginal participation, developmental outcomes and family satisfaction to ensure transparency, accountability and continuous improvement.

Recommendation 13: Embed ongoing co-design with children, families, Aboriginal communities, people with lived experience and frontline service providers to ensure Foundational Supports remain responsive to local needs and continue to improve over time.

Implementation

Recommendation 14: Implement Foundational Supports as a child-centred, family-focused and place-based reform that strengthens local partnerships, reduces fragmentation, simplifies access and ensures every child receives timely support regardless of where they live or whether they have received a formal diagnosis.

Taken together, these recommendations provide a practical roadmap for implementing Foundational Supports that are equitable, sustainable and capable of delivering earlier intervention and better outcomes for children, families and communities across New South Wales.

Conclusion

Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre (CINC) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this important Inquiry and commends the Select Committee for its commitment to strengthening the supports available to children and young people with developmental concerns, delays, differences and disability across New South Wales.

For more than 40 years, CINC has worked alongside children and families in regional New South Wales. Our experience consistently demonstrates that children achieve the best outcomes when support is available early, services work together, and families can access trusted local assistance without unnecessary barriers or delays. The evidence presented throughout this submission reflects the experiences of families navigating the current service system and the opportunities that exist to deliver a more coordinated, equitable and effective model of support.

CINC welcomes the NSW Government’s commitment to progressing Foundational Supports and recognises the significant opportunity presented by the Government’s response to the Committee’s Interim Report, together with the broader national disability reform agenda. These reforms provide an opportunity to redesign the service system so that it responds to children’s developmental needs rather than funding eligibility or organisational boundaries.

For regional, rural and remote communities, success will depend on investing in local partnerships, strengthening the workforce, recognising the essential role of trusted community organisations, neighbourhood centres and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and ensuring equitable access to services regardless of where children live. Foundational Supports must remain community-led, place-based, family-centred, culturally safe and sufficiently flexible to respond to the unique strengths and needs of individual communities.

Importantly, community-led delivery must extend beyond consultation. Communities are frequently asked what they need and what works locally. Their knowledge and experience should then be visible in the way services are designed, commissioned and delivered. Procurement and commissioning frameworks should recognise demonstrated community connection, cultural capability, established partnerships, local knowledge and community trust as important elements of service capability and value.

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Neighbourhood centres and other established community organisations provide existing social infrastructure upon which Foundational Supports can build. They are often the first place families seek assistance, providing a trusted and non-stigmatising entry point into support. Their relationships with families, schools, early childhood services, health providers, Aboriginal organisations and other community services enable early identification, warm referral, family navigation and coordinated responses. Strengthening this existing community capacity provides an opportunity to build sustainable local systems rather than creating parallel services disconnected from the communities they are intended to support.

CINC encourages the Committee to recommend a system that provides practical support when developmental concerns are first identified, rather than after children and families have experienced lengthy delays or reached crisis. By investing in prevention, strengthening collaboration, funding family navigation and care coordination, building the capability of parents, carers and kin, and supporting trusted local organisations, New South Wales can create a more effective, sustainable and inclusive service system that improves outcomes for children while reducing long-term demand across health, education, child protection, youth justice, mental health and other government services.

Ultimately, the success of Foundational Supports will not be measured by the number of programs established or the amount of funding invested. It will be measured by whether children receive support earlier, families experience simpler pathways through services, waiting times are reduced, local communities have a meaningful role in shaping the supports available to them, and regional, rural and remote communities achieve equitable access.

Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. CINC believes Foundational Supports can help realise this vision by ensuring children receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place and through services that understand and are connected to their community. We welcome continued partnership between the NSW Government, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, neighbourhood centres, sector partners, families and local communities to ensure Foundational Supports are not only delivered in communities but designed with them and strengthened by them.

“Children should not have to wait for a diagnosis to receive support, and families should not have to navigate the system alone. By investing early, working together and responding to local communities, New South Wales can give every child the best possible opportunity to thrive.”

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3. RETURN ON EARLY INTERVENTION

Supporting children and families early builds better futures and stronger communities.

1. BETTER LIFE OUTCOMES

Children reach their potential and contribute to strong, thriving communities. — The Result: Stronger communities and more productive futures

2. SCHOOL READINESS AND PARTICIPATION

Children are ready to learn, attend school and engage with confidence. — The Result: Better educational achievement and engagement

3. IMPROVED CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND WELLBEING

Early support builds communication, social skills, resilience and independence. — The Result: Healthier, happier children

4. CONFIDENT PARENTS AND CARERS

Families have the knowledge, skills and support to nurture their child’s growth. — The Result: Stronger, more resilient families

5. EARLIER IDENTIFICATION AND SUPPORT

Concerns are identified early and the right support is provided sooner. — The Result: Reduced need for intensive supports

6. STRONG LOCAL CONNECTIONS AND COORDINATION

Families can easily access trusted local services that work together. — The Result: More connected, coordinated and effective systems

EARLY SUPPORT TODAY REDUCES COSTS TOMORROW.

Investing in foundational supports now reduces future demand on specialist, crisis and out-of-home care services.

Acknowledgement

This submission reflects Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre’s (CINC) direct service delivery experience supporting children, young people and families across regional New South Wales. It is informed by more than 40 years of community-led practice, partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other local service providers, organisational data, frontline practitioner experience and the lived experiences of children, families, carers and kin who access our services.

CINC acknowledges the children, families, communities and partner organisations whose experiences have shaped the observations and recommendations contained within this submission. We also acknowledge the NSW Legislative Council Select Committee for providing an opportunity for regional communities and frontline organisations to contribute to the future design of Foundational Supports in New South Wales.

CINC respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work and pays respect to Elders past and present. We recognise the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country, culture, family and community, and acknowledge the vital role Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Aboriginal leaders and local communities play in improving outcomes for children and families.

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References

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). (2021). 2021 Census of Population and Housing. Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). (2024). Australian Early Development Census National Results. Australian Government.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2024). Australia’s Children. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Commonwealth of Australia. (2023). Independent Review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme: Working Together to Deliver the NDIS. Canberra: Australian Government.

Commonwealth of Australia. (2023). Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability — Final Report. Canberra: Australian Government.

Department of Social Services. (2025). National Autism Strategy 2025–2031. Australian Government.

NSW Government. (2026). NSW Government Response to the Interim Report of the Select Committee on Foundational and Disability Supports Available for Children and Young People in New South Wales.

NSW Health. (2024). Child Development and Developmental Concerns — Early Childhood Services. NSW Government.

NSW Legislative Council. (2026). Select Committee on Foundational and Disability Supports Available for Children and Young People in New South Wales — Interim Report.

NSW Legislative Council. (2026). Select Committee on Foundational and Disability Supports Available for Children and Young People in New South Wales — Terms of Reference.

Productivity Commission. (2020). Mental Health, Report No. 95. Commonwealth of Australia.

Productivity Commission. (2025). Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Commonwealth of Australia.

Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre (CINC). (2026). Internal service delivery data, client experience and operational evidence (unpublished organisational data). Used throughout this submission to illustrate the experiences of children and families accessing services in regional New South Wales.

Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre (CINC). (2026). Frontline practitioner observations and organisational experience developed through more than 40 years of service delivery across regional New South Wales.

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