Inquiry into the Thriving Kids initiative Submission 36
I strongly advocate for the continued support of children with disabilities under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The NDIS was established with the fundamental principle of providing individuals with disabilities the autonomy to make decisions about their own lives, care, and support. This principle of autonomy of choice is crucial and must be preserved.
Our family are very concerned that should this vital support be provided by a third party such as Thriving Kids - that this will remove the autonomy of choice for families to choose support providers that meet the unique needs of our children.
While the intention to provide early intervention and support through mainstream and community services is acknowledged, it is imperative that this does not come at the cost of removing the autonomy of choice for families.
Families must retain the ability to choose support providers that meet the unique needs of their children. The move to a third-party model, such as Thriving Kids, should not undermine the rights of families to make informed decisions about the care and support their children receive. This is contrary to the NDIS’s fundamental principle of autonomy of choice for individuals with disabilities and World Health Organisation’s Constitution.
It is essential that the design and implementation of the Thriving Kids program are informed by extensive community consultation and expert advice. The final program design must ensure that the voices of families and individuals with disabilities are heard and respected.