Committee Secretary, House Standing Committee on Health, Aged care & Disability
PO Box 6021, Parliament of Australia Canberra ACT 2600

Friday 3 October 2025

Inquiry into Thriving Kids Initiative

This submission has been prepared by the Queensland Foundational Supports for Young Children Working Group, a coalition of Queensland organisations with expertise across early childhood, disability, family services, health, and inclusion. This working group also includes parents with lived experience to provide invaluable insight and expertise. The full list of the membership is at the end of this letter. Our working group has designed a set of working draft principles and elements design for what foundational supports could look like in Queensland (attached).

The vision for the Thriving Kids program must be underpinned by a systems approach grounded in a set of principles that directly ensure supports are child, family, and community led, strengths-based, culturally informed, and equitable. These principles should shape every facet of policy, service design, and delivery, guaranteeing that experiences and outcomes are responsive, inclusive, and sustainable for all children and families. Rollout and implementation of the program needs to be complemented by clear, evidence-based messaging that creates engagement, compassion and collaborative action, and reduces stigma, discrimination and shame for children and families¹.

The guiding principles (page 7 in report) have been tested and affirmed through a series of Community Forums, deep dives with families in four targeted locations in metropolitan, regional and rural Queensland (Mt Isa, Longreach and surrounds, Rockhampton (including Woorabinda) and Logan) and a series of other forums across Queensland (in total 14 engagements with 318 people inclusive of families who identify as First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse, single parents, grandparents and foster parents, and have experienced domestic and family violence). An additional principle was suggested, emphasizing that early intervention and supports should be “play-based”. Through these engagements

¹ We recommend a range of framing resources to support these efforts, amongst them The Core Story designed to transform the way early childhood development and learning is understood in Australia. See www.thekids.org.au/projects/HPER/core-story/ See also https://tqkp.org.au/section-2-australian-framing-reports-research/

we saw a very strong agreement between families, community members and service providers. There was strong consensus about gaps, impact on families, and opportunities to improve the system to better support families’ needs. Impacts identified by families included stress, burnout, decision fatigue, administrative burden and the need for strong advocacy skills at time when many do not feel they have the capacity or energy for this. Coupled with this was difficulties in navigating a complex system and the emotional and financial toll on families.

Evidence-Based Resources for Parents

Helping parents recognise and address mild to moderate developmental delays in their children is essential. Evidence demonstrates that user-friendly resources, such as simple developmental milestone guides, reliable screening tools, and digital platforms with personalised advice, are highly beneficial. Approaches that centre on parents by offering clear, practical information and actionable steps are considered best practice worldwide.

Embedding these resources throughout key touchpoints, such as primary care, maternal and child health appointments, and early childhood education, ensures parents receive the support they need whenever they engage with services.

Effectiveness of Current and Previous Programs

Reviewing both local and international approaches highlights a range of outcomes in supporting children’s development. Early identification efforts that are integrated within universal services, such as regular health checks, outreach by allied health professionals, and inclusive community initiatives, such as playgroups, tend to achieve broader reach and more ongoing engagement, especially when there is strong collaboration across sectors.

The most valuable models provide consistent and coordinated support, but their effectiveness can be compromised when service integration is weak or when there are limitations in workforce capacity. Assessments and interventions need to be holistic, delivered in the context of the individual’s family and community, and informed by ecological models such as The Nest (Australia’s Child and Youth Wellbeing Framework, developed by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY)²). This Framework is congruent with the social model of

² Please refer to the ARACY submission to the Thriving Kids inquiry for more information

disability, and has been applied in multiple settings and jurisdictions to create impact regarding child wellbeing

Collaborative approaches, where primary care, allied health, and educational supports are brought together in a family-focused and streamlined way, lead to better and more sustained outcomes for children and families. One of the ways these approaches can be delivered is through the maintenance and strengthening the resourcing of child and family hubs to provide child-centred, holistic supports to children³.

Equity and Intersectional Considerations

Central to the Thriving Kids vision is an unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion. The design elements must address barriers facing First Nations children and children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, who may face systemic disadvantage and limited access to culturally safe supports. Co-designing resources and programs with these communities, employing bilingual and bicultural staff, and ensuring materials are culturally relevant are critical steps. Intersectional approaches must further consider socioeconomic status, disability, and rurality, ensuring no child is left behind.

Workforce Support and Training Gaps

A robust and well-supported workforce is imperative for delivering on the Thriving Kids promise. Current gaps include inconsistent capability within and across sectors, insufficient training in early identification and cultural safety, delivery of allied health supports within mainstream environments and as part of an integrated early childhood intervention approach (as opposed to clinic-based services) and limited opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration. Embedding continuous learning on developmental surveillance, neuro-informed policy and practice⁴, and family engagement, as well as ensuring adequate staffing levels across all settings, particularly in regional and remote areas, is crucial. Workforce investment and dedicated coaching will result in higher quality and more equitable service delivery, including building capacity and capability in parents and

³ Please refer to the Thriving Kids submission of the National Child and Family Hubs Network for more information; see www.childandfamilyhubs.org.au

⁴ Which is inclusive of – but broader than – trauma-informed care in also ensuring an explicit focus on wellbeing; see NPP Framework Final edited.pdf

caregivers. This requires development of the peer support workforce to walk alongside families in helping them navigate complex care systems.

Policy Experience and Best Practice

Learning from domestic and international models, the strongest systems are those that integrate care across universal, targeted, and specialist services and policies which prioritise seamless transitions, data sharing, and family-centred planning. Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme offers a valuable foundation but would benefit from greater integration with mainstream education and health systems, and a clear focus on early intervention for mild to moderate needs.

Mechanisms for Seamless Transitions

Key mechanisms to ensure children and families experience smooth transitions through mainstream systems include:

Establishing shared assessment and referral pathways across health, education, and community services
Implementing case coordination roles to navigate services alongside families
Developing interoperable data systems that track progress and needs across settings
Embedding transition planning within all early childhood and school programs
Ensuring ongoing feedback from children, families, and communities to refine processes
A community led delivery mechanism (rather than health or education-led) will mitigate risks associated with sector silos, sector capability frameworks (which may not necessarily include specialist disability capability), sector priorities (e.g. educational outcomes priority within the education sector) and dignity of risk.
Supporting the maintenance and expansion of child and family hubs, as noted above.

Ensuring Impact and Accountability: Evaluation Framework

To support accountability, continuous improvement, and policy development, we recommend the inclusion of a robust evaluation framework as part of the Thriving Kids initiative. This framework should articulate clear objectives and outcomes, identify indicators of success (e.g., increased access to and uptake of supports, improved developmental outcomes, improved family satisfaction/wellbeing,

cultural responsiveness) across developmental, social, and service domains, and incorporate both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Importantly, it should be designed to ensure responsiveness to the diverse needs of children, families, and communities, including First Nations children, children living in remote and regional areas, children of culturally and linguistically diverse families, Rainbow Families, and children who live in out of home care. Embedding evaluation from the outset will enable iterative learning, support evidence-informed decision-making, and ensure that Thriving Kids supports are both effective and culturally safe.

This report matters for a number of reasons. Firstly, the development of the ‘Working Draft Principles and Elements Design: Early Supports (0-9) Foundational Supports Model Queensland’ demonstrates a collaborative, cross sector approach underpinned by strong co-design principles. This process of working demonstrates to us that a) there is a strong consensus among parents, community, service delivery partners and key agencies and stakeholders of what elements of an effective model that supports young children to thrive and flourish looks like and b) the effectiveness of building new systems based on the expertise and knowledge of key stakeholders focused on creating outcomes that improve the lives and wellbeing of the families who will benefit from it. The working group recommends this approach when the Commonwealth, state and territory governments work to develop and refine the Thriving Kids program.

Secondly, Queensland families, communities, service providers and other key stakeholders have clearly articulated a strong way forward. Some of our youngest Queenslanders are not receiving the support they need, and their families face enormous challenges navigating fragmented systems. The developmental, social and economic cost of inaction is profound. We must act now to ensure all children are supported holistically, close to home, and in culturally and developmentally appropriate ways. This draft report proposes a systemic approach underpinned by clear design principles, a diverse service mix, integrated access pathways, workforce development, and inclusive, family-driven approaches.

Members of the Foundational Support for Young Children Working Group would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the recommendations and their relevance to the Thriving Kids Program. This work has been developed by:

Autism Queensland
BushKIDS

Parenting Research Centre
PeakCare
Play Matters Australia
Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN)
Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership/ARACY
University of Queensland and
Xavier.

In consultation with a broader group of key representatives across Queensland – Including, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP), University of Southern Queensland, C&K (Childcare and Kindergarten Association), XStitch Health, Logan Together, Outback Independent Living and Queensland Government statutory bodies – this initiative reflects input from organisations with extensive networks of people with disabilities, families and service providers. As such, this work represents the voices of many Queenslanders who live with disability and/or those who support them.

The advice from this working group has been provided to Queensland Government.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to children and families.

Signed on behalf of the Working Group by Chair, Working Group and QDN CEO.

Frances Scodellaro
Chair, Working Group
Autism Queensland CEO

Michelle Moss
QDN CEO

Working Draft Principles and Elements Design: Early Supports (0-9) Foundational Supports Model Queensland

8 April 2025

Introduction

Children and young people thrive when their strengths, relationships and experiences are acknowledged, and they are supported in holistic, culturally informed, developmentally appropriate ways according to need and ideally close to home. This includes enabling parents and carers, extended family, their local community, human services and the wider natural, built and digital environments as all significant facets of their socio-ecological contexts.

Right now, some children with disability aren’t receiving the support they need, which can impact on health and development. Families also experience challenges with navigating the systems and their caregiving role. Empowering families and parents early with holistic information and supports, pathways to seamlessly access services and places to connect makes sure that they have the lighthouses and safe harbours they need to navigate these waters in helping their children reach their full potential, now and into the future.

About this Report

The purpose of this report is to provide a starting point for engagement and discussion. The document outlines draft key principles and elements of a working model of Targeted Foundational Support for children 0-9 years. It has been informed by work by a group of organisations and other stakeholders with diverse experiences and perspectives in early childhood and early intervention with a deep commitment to the well-being of children and families. This work has occurred through the Queensland Stakeholder Engagement and Co-design Strategy. This working draft model of service responses has been co-designed and co-produced and focuses on the design work to inform the transition to the system of supports recommended by the NDIS review and implementation has been made as a joint commitment of the Commonwealth and states and territories. The target cohort are children 0-9 years and families who are needing supports but not eligible for the NDIS.

This report is intended to be used as a foundation for further discussion and exploration. It is intended to form part of community engagement and further co-design with broader stakeholders to inform refinement of best practice design elements to support the delivery, implementation and later evaluation of Early Intervention Foundational Supports in Queensland. Further refinement will occur in the next phase through ongoing consultation and work to review and build upon emerging research and evidence-based models of good practice.

Context and background

The NDIS Review identified the need for a connected system of support for all people with disability. This connected system should include accessible and inclusive mainstream services, Foundational Supports, support from a navigator and individual support funded through the NDIS.

The NDIS Review Panel Final Report recommended the development of Foundational supports ‘to improve and expand current programs and activities funded through the Information Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grants program’. Foundational Supports will be general - for all people with disability, and targeted - for people with lower-level support needs who are not eligible for the NDIS.

The NDIS review outlined that targeted Foundational Supports are supports available for people aged under 65 with disability who are not eligible for the NDIS. The four areas outlined are:

Home and community support, such as shopping and cleaning or aids and equipment for people with less intensive support needs
For adults with a psychosocial disability to build their capacity, independence and daily living skills
Early supports for families and children with emerging developmental concerns.
For young people to prepare for employment and independent living.

As outlined, this work is focused on early supports for families and children (0-9).

Since October 2024, a small group of organisations with expertise working in early supports with children and families formed to identify critical issues and solutions in the development of this area of targeted Foundational Supports for Queensland.

The group held a half-day workshop on 24 October 2024 which generated a range of outputs. This has been used as a framework for further development of a model and key considerations for government in the development and design of Foundational Supports. The outputs included:

Key assumptions as a basis for service element design including:
- Supports need to be individual and family driven to be timely, effective and affordable
- Supports need to be provided in the context of a system that is transparent and seamlessly connected
- Service provision should be targeted.
- Workforce development should be considered in parallel.
- A broader lens which incorporates systemic challenges and considerations should be adopted.
- Policy to practice should be guided by an implementation strategy.
Implications for service design including:
- Assessment
- Family support and capacity building
- Allied health supports.

On 23 January 2025, the Early Intervention Foundation Support group, joined by other critical allies, came together for an all-day service design workshop to produce a draft model for Early Intervention Foundational Supports, with consideration to:

Key design principles
Key design choices

Service mix
Key dependencies.

The outcomes of that workshop have been used to inform this working draft.

Acknowledgments

This proposal has been developed with the Foundational Supports Early Intervention 0-9 Group. This group is evolving and growing and is made up of a range of organisations with diverse expertise and experience working with families and children and includes:

Autism Queensland
BUSHKids
C and K Association
Parenting Research Centre
Peak Care
Play Matters
Queensland Health
Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN)
Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP)
Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership/Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth
Xavier
Xstitch Health.

The group have shared their perspectives to inform this work as a starting point for engagement and design.

Assumptions

During the workshop, the group established shared key assumptions and preconditions. These are factors that were identified as needing to be in place to provide the right environment and conditions to support changes and implementation. The factors include:

The definitions for key terms such as general and targeted supports will be developed, clarified and tested.
Clear boundaries between Universal (General), Targeted Foundational and NDIA Supports will be established covering topics such as,
- service delivery model,
- specifications,
- access points,
- eligibility,

funding model,
funding source,
standards
The risk of cost shift created by scheme design, and funding models will be well managed.
There is a sufficient funding envelope to meet cohort size.
Targeted Foundational Supports Early Supports for children and families includes those with:
- Low to medium support needs who are not currently accessing support through NDIS including children with developmental delay and Autism
- Disability support needs that are more/different to what is available through mainstream supports.
General Foundational Supports will be available to anyone.
The proposed service responses will be delivered within the existing ecosystem of federal/state/territory services.
There will be a sufficient shift in resources from the NDIS funding envelope and governance to funding and oversight of Foundational Supports.
The sector workforce capacity and capability planning for the transition and execution will be incorporated into scheme design (learning and development for allied health professionals, appropriate supervision, professional development).
There will be a commitment to building capacity in the service system.
Individualised responses are provided in the context of the family/community.
Service responses are well-timed and well-located.
There will be multiple, highly visible access points in communities (a Hub/infrastructure).

Diagram 1: Targeted Supports Early Supports

The following diagram outlines the key draft principles within a broader context of local driven service responses and national consistent elements.

Draft Principles

The group agreed on a shared set of design principles, outlined in the table below. Additionally these principles are further explored with elements that will be important to consider in how these are implemented in practice.

Table 1: Design Principles

Principle	Details
Child, Family and Community led.	Voice of people who use the services is elevated
	Needs at the centre and informed by the end users of the service
	Supports that are co-designed as close to the individual and family as practical
	Strengths-based
	Community has important role and place
Culturally Informed	Culture is a stand-alone principle
	Self-determined and culturally informed
	More co-design and engagement required
Responsive	“No wrong door”
	Proactive and flexible
	Need a prioritisation mechanism capable of discerning need & best response, against multiple criteria
	Continuum of service responses available, including face to face supports
	Supports that build capacity in community over time
	Service responses that use common, inclusive language

| Equitable | Assessment, interventions and capacity building strategies are evidence based and collaboratively designed and reviewed | | | Service responses are place-based, with due consideration of regional, remote and rural barriers to access made. | | Integrated | Navigation through the system is a shared responsibility across the multiple services and systems rather than sole responsibility of one individual role | | | To deliver quality experiences and outcomes, integrated approaches need to involve multi-agency responses and collaboration | | | Efficiency and reach of service responses across the state is greatest when government agencies are aligned and flexible in how funded programs are able to use their workforce and resources | | Holistic | Assessments and interventions are designed and delivered in the context of the individual’s family and community. The Nest (Australia’s Child and Youth Wellbeing Framework) demonstrates the ecological nature of wellbeing (inclusive of families, communities, environments and systems), and the six interconnected domains through which to consider foundational supports.i | | | Supports wrap around the individual with due consideration of individual needs, language and culture, spirituality, and lifestyle | | High Quality | Services are evidence informed and deliver high quality supports | | | Include aspirational benchmarks and targets | | | Outcome (as defined by individual/ family lens) focused rather than input focused | | | Regulation characterised by proportionality and consistency | | | Independent safeguarding and monitoring of Foundational Supports system | | | Requires relevant outcome focused metrics |

| | Integrity and timely access to data is critical to inform planning and decision-making across all agencies. | | Sustainable | Access to sufficient investment, workforce and broader system capacity over time and across all parts of the state | | | Future-proofed: multi-partisan, embedded technology, joined up commissioning, and future focused | | | Results in continuity of experience for children and families |

Table 2: Draft Design Choices

The following table outlines key draft elements and exploration of details, considerations and application in practice.

Element	Details
System Entry Points	System entry will be through self-initiated or through activation of information/referral points for children and family across multiple formal and informal touch points that people have with other service systems including health, education, child safety, early childhood services
	Needs flexibility in regional, rural and remote communities and cultural lens and culturally inclusive approach for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds.
	General Foundational Supports\
Information/referral will come through GP, schools, peer to peer for general supports.
	Targeted Foundational Supports\
Single point of entry established that is time limited. Needs to have system capacity building with potential for multiple entries depending on level of need/intensity of intervention
Navigation (case management)	Consider AI/technology platform solutions – e.g., avatar journey mapping, concierge platforms.
	Consider peer led mechanisms (consider experience, skills, guidelines)
	Mixed self-directed and assisted options
	Key-worker model (language will be important)
	Key success factor is that the navigator works collaboratively with family to develop a plan for next steps and able to connect with mainstream services and NDIS pathway if eligible
	Education and support to first responders/connections in community
Level of individualisation	General supports collective

| | Targeted supports individualised | | Points of intervention | Focus on first 2000 days – capacity building, pre-natal, early intervention | | | General supports focused on parent education and support networks | | | Targeted supports to focus on points of transition in individual and family life with developmental stages at core. | | | Transparency and access to real-time data on demand management and referral destinations critical | | Service system options | Targeted supports to be tailored to individual need and include allied health, specialist supports, one on one and community-based supports. | | | Hub model recommended | | | Recommend defined service offering rather than market-based model for choice and control | | | Active review of outcomes/referral destinations to monitor people identified as requiring targeted supports falling through the gaps/safeguard failure | | National or local | Nationally consistent principles, local application (co-design and implementation) | | Commissioning | Acknowledgement of regional, rural and remote cost differentials | | | Block funding with identified recipients, and allowance for key worker/case management | | | Provides both flexibility and transparency | | | Provides opportunity for collaboration across systems in quest for continuity of care |

Diagram 2: Proposed Foundational Supports Model

Diagram 2 depicts the proposed Foundational Supports Model. Inclusive mainstream services are at the far left of the diagram which ensures the needs of all people are considered and supported from the beginning. The importance of multiple entry points highlights the importance of the interface of foundational supports with other services and a seamless referral system.

Strengths and needs assessments support navigation across the three areas of mainstream services, time limited targeted foundational supports and complementary supports. These are dynamic and responsive to a child’s needs as they change, grow and develop.

Transition Considerations

In the work of system design and system transition, there are a range of key issues that the group identified will be critical to consider as part of the overall work across general and targeted foundational supports. It is important to recognise the complexity of this work and the inter-dependencies with a nationally consistent approach that enables state and territories to design and deliver fit for purpose and responsive services reflective of the needs of each jurisdiction. The following outlines the key issues important for consideration.

System entry

Address transition with similar strategies to the initial transition to NDIS, e.g., focus on education and resources at likely first points of contact for families – GPs, acute health services, allied health and other primary care points of contact for families
Focus (resources and data tracking) on quality and efficiency of transition (referral) between universal supports and family support/capacity building, and targeted supports (needs assessment)
Role and function of existing service providers to enable them to proactively engage in their communities
Indigenous liaison officers/role of connection with community are critical to entry, and connection with supports early
Real time data on those children and families who have been identified early but are not currently receiving supports
The NDIS also needs to be a referral point.

Terminology is important
Appropriate resourcing of the role is important
Map what similar roles already exist in the state mainstream services, their current reach and function, and build strength in these positions
Key Worker model recommended – both within and between systems
Gatekeeping by navigators to be avoided
Explore the role of technology/navigation platforms to assist
Allow for a continuum of self-assist and full assistance navigation supports.

Workforce

Establish a strategy for incentivising people to work in the sector including relocation allowances, scholarships, mentoring and coaching, graduate pathways
Establish joint commissioning approaches to working in regional, rural and remote areas to ensure existing services are efficiently utilised
Incorporate brokerage and contract arrangements to address sufficiency of workforce
Use the model of care as an attraction strategy, e.g., learning organisations key to attracting, building capability, and retaining staff – transformational rather than transactional approaches
Build communities of practice, particularly in regional areas to support retention
Strengthen relationships with universities and education/placement/employment pathways, particularly in regional Queensland.

Quality and Safeguards

Utilise existing mechanisms and programs that need to be scaled and reviewed to ensure function and delivery meets additional requirements

Ensure mutual recognition across jurisdictions.

Commissioning

Recommend a hybrid approach (similar to aged care) with block funding component and individualised component based on needs assessment
Mandate funded services to reach, engage and build capacity and connections in their communities – place based
Ensure access to discretionary funds to allow for rapid responses locally
Provide flexibility to broker services
Ensure funding is outcome driven.

i www.aracy.org.au/the-nest-wellbeing-framework/

Submission 247 — Queensland Foundational Supports 0-9 Working Group — Inquiry into the Thriving Kids initiative