Submission to the Thriving Kids Inquiry
About Illawarra Disability Alliance
The Illawarra Disability Alliance (IDA) is a group of NDIS registered, not-for-profit disability providers working together to deliver better outcomes for people with a disability in our community.
IDA aims are to:
- work collaboratively with people with disability, their carers, and across agencies and government to advocate for the rights of people with disability and promote inclusion.
- contribute to a strong functioning disability support network which proactively advocates for better outcomes for people with disability.
- represent the local region and support market stewardship by contributing to State and National policy discussions.
- ensure that as service providers we are well informed and supported.
- liaise with all levels of government on region specific issues (e.g., health, education, housing, NDIS, etc) in order to provide sound, timely advice that contributes to quality policy decisions.
Introduction
This submission responds to the Australian Government’s inquiry into the Thriving Kids program, a $2 billion initiative targeting children aged 0-8 with mild to moderate developmental delays or autism.
Our submission draws from consultation with disability service providers and families with lived experience.
Key Recommendations
1. Implement Standardised, Simple Screening Tools Across All Early Learning and School Settings
The Issue: Current developmental screening is inconsistent, often relying on informal observations or delayed until problems become severe. Early childhood educators and teachers lack accessible, validated tools to identify concerns early.
The Recommendation:
- Develop and deploy simple, evidence-based screening tools (similar to the K10 in mental health) that can be administered by teachers, early childhood educators, and maternal child health nurses.
Illawarra Disability Alliance Page 1 of 4
- These tools should trigger further assessment rather than diagnose, requiring only basic training to administer.
- Ensure tools address gender bias, as females with autism are frequently undiagnosed due to masking behaviours.
- Make screening a standard expectation at key developmental milestones (3-year health check, kindergarten entry, school entry).
Expected Outcomes: Earlier identification of developmental concerns, validation for parents, and faster pathways to appropriate support.
2. Support Inclusive Education with Supported Classes in Every Public School
The Issue: Families face significant barriers when children with developmental delays require specialised school supports which compounds issues associated with the child’s disability leading to further developmental disruption and exclusion. Limited availability of supported classes forces families to travel long distances, disrupts family units, and removes choice and control from parents.
The Recommendation:
- Allocate Thriving Kids funding to establish supported learning classes in every public school of sufficient size.
- Base resource allocation on demographic data (e.g., if 1 in 5 children are neurodiverse, fund accordingly).
- Employ sufficient specialised staff including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and learning support officers within education settings.
- Ensure smaller class ratios (e.g., 7:2 student-to-staff) in supported classes.
- Allow children to remain in their local school community with siblings and peers.
Expected Outcomes: Truly inclusive education, reduced family stress and costs, and elimination of geographic barriers to appropriate support.
3. Create a Centralised Disability Navigator Function and Resources to Support Families Through the System
The Issue: Parents report feeling completely lost when navigating diagnostic processes, assessment requirements, funding applications, and educational placements. The system is complex, costly, and time-consuming, with no clear pathway or support.
The Recommendation:
- Resource identified disability navigator roles positioned within schools, maternal child health services, and community health centres.
- Navigators should guide families from initial concerns through diagnosis, funding access, and service connection.
Illawarra Disability Alliance Page 2 of 4
- Provide clear, simple information about developmental milestones, assessment processes, and available supports.
- Ensure navigators can connect families to existing carer support programs and peer networks.
- Address cultural and linguistic barriers with culturally appropriate navigator services for CALD and First Nations families.
Expected Outcomes: Reduced family stress, faster access to supports, and better outcomes for children through early intervention.
4. Focus Investment on Proven Existing Touch Points: i.e. Maternal Child Health, Early Childhood Education and Care, Kindergartens, and Schools
The Issue: With $2 billion spread too thinly, the program risks achieving little. These settings already have regular contact with all children and families.
The Recommendation:
- Concentrate funding on strengthening capacity in maternal child health services, ECEC services, kindergartens, and schools rather than creating new programs.
- Reinstate regular, universal maternal child health checks with developmental screening.
- Resource kindergarten and schoolteachers with additional training, tools, and support to identify and respond to developmental needs.
- Create clear referral pathways from these settings to NDIS for children with more complex needs.
Expected Outcomes: Maximum impact for investment, reaching all children through existing trusted systems.
Additional Considerations
- Workforce Development: Teachers and early childhood educators require better training on inclusive practices, positive behaviour support, and understanding diverse learning needs.
- Equity Issues: Special attention is needed for CALD communities, First Nations families, and recognition of gender bias in autism diagnosis.
- Transition Pathways: Clear pathways are needed between Thriving Kids supports and the NDIS for children whose needs exceed mild to moderate classification.
Conclusion
The Thriving Kids program presents an opportunity to create systemic change in how Australia identifies and supports children with developmental delays. Success requires
Illawarra Disability Alliance Page 3 of 4
focused investment in proven systems (health, education), simple accessible tools, and wraparound support for families navigating an otherwise overwhelming system. By concentrating efforts rather than spreading resources too thinly, we can achieve meaningful, lasting outcomes for children and families.
For More Information:
E: redacted
PS: (02) 4256 4333
W: communityindustrygroup.org.au
Community Industry Group
Lot 26 Mortlock Ave,
Port Kembla, 2505
ABN 95 589 148 519
Illawarra Disability Alliance Page 4 of 4