Australian Catholic University
Submission to the
Inquiry into the Thriving Kids initiative
October 2025
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Submission to the Inquiry into the Thriving Kids initiative
Australian Catholic University (ACU) acknowledges the opportunity to make a submission to the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability regarding its Inquiry into the Thriving Kids initiative.
ACU welcomes the Government’s establishment of the Thriving Kids initiative and its goal of “identifying developmental concerns earlier and establishing a national system of supports for children aged 8 and under with mild to moderate developmental delay and autism, and their families.” As both the Government and this Committee have noted the voices of families, professionals, educators and the wider community in the program design process will be crucial to ensuring that the initiative is fit for purpose. ACU is deeply committed to fostering inclusion, equity, and community engagement through innovative, evidence-based programs that empower families and strengthen the workforce. Guided by our strategic plan Vision 2033, ACU partners with government, industry, and communities to deliver scalable initiatives that build capacity, promote participation, and support thriving communities. Our track record includes large-scale, co-designed programs such as iPLAY, which has trained over 3,000 teachers to deliver inclusive physical education across more than 200 schools, and ENVISAGE, which empowers families of children with developmental concerns or disabilities and trains service providers and peer facilitators to deliver family-centred, culturally safe support nationwide. Together, these programs exemplify ACU’s capacity to deliver impactful, sustainable, and inclusive initiatives that align with national priorities and advance the Common Good. This commitment directly aligns with the objectives of the Thriving Kids initiative, which seeks to ensure all children can access the supports they need to thrive.
A New Approach
ACU strongly supports the establishment of a Government driven stand-alone initiative like Thriving Kids designed specifically to address the needs of children with mild to moderate developmental delay and their families. While the National Disability Insurance Scheme is an extremely worthwhile program for Australians with complex disability it is not fit for purpose in relation to providing early, community-based supports for children with mild to moderate developmental delay. Children with developmental concerns and/or disabilities have traditionally been managed as separate diagnostic categories, focusing narrowly on biomedical diagnosis and discrete therapies. Decades of non-categorical thinking highlight shared needs across developmental concerns and conditions, yet practice remains fragmented and in Australia, has declined further since the introduction of the NDIS funding model. Furthermore, the implementation of the NDIS brought about unintended consequences including a focus on fixing the child rather than promoting function and participation; a move away from family centred practice to child focussed, therapy focussed, profit driven models of intervention; and clinicians move away from professional reasoning and clinical decision-making back towards reductionist thinking.
ENVISAGE
By proposing the Thriving Kids initiative, the Government is strengthening its commitment to ensuring a fully tailored and comprehensive care agenda for children and their families managing developmental delays that is already evident in funding provided under the National Early Childhood Program (NECP) to programs such as ENVISAGE. ACU’s believes that the ENVISAGE (Enabling Visions And Growing Expectations) program is an exemplar of the approach the Thriving Kids initiative should take towards effectively assisting children with developmental concerns or disabilities and their families. ENVISAGE is a nationally delivered, cost effective, evidence-informed program that empowers families raising children with developmental concerns or disabilities.¹
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and empowerment, peer connection, and strengths-based reframing. The ENVISAGE Families Program is currently funded through NECP and is free to all families in Australia raising children aged 0–8 with developmental concerns or disability. The program has been in development since 2017 and, in 2023, expanded into a large-scale, fully funded national implementation program across Australia through the Department of Social Services NECP grant 2023-2027 ($12m).
ENVISAGE has already had a significant and positive impact on families of children with developmental concerns or disabilities. Delivered by ACU in partnership with universities, hospitals, and over 30 community organisations. The program builds caregiver confidence, wellbeing, and advocacy, with a focus on inclusion, connection, cultural safety, and long-term impact.
Since January 2023, 1805 families have participated in ENVISAGE and of these, 1199 participants have completed a baseline survey, and 625 participants have completed a follow-up survey. Findings to date show that 98% of caregivers felt listened to and understood, 93% were satisfied with the program, and 88% reported improved ability to manage their family’s situation. Families consistently report increased knowledge and confidence as a result of participating in the program, improvements in family wellbeing, mental health, and community participations, results which are statistically and clinically significant, and make a tangible impact on the wellbeing of caregivers and their families.
Caregivers reported increased confidence in advocating for their children, accessing services, and engaging with professionals, core indicators of empowerment and resilience. In addition to strengthening parenting confidence, ENVISAGE has also shown benefits supporting employment of caregivers in paid work, improved parent-school-service provider relationships, enhanced community connection and cross-organisational collaborative partnerships.
ENVISAGE Programs are delivered in every Australian state and territory, with 32% of caregivers residing in regional, rural, or remote areas. What sets ENVISAGE apart is its flexibility and ability to be tailored to the needs of specific communities. ENVISAGE actively builds connections across communities, partnering with state-based organisations such as PlayConnect Plus, Positive Partnership, MyTime, and Community Hubs to deliver programs specifically designed to meet families in settings where they are already engaged.
How ENVISAGE works
ENVISAGE addresses a critical gap in early childhood disability support by equipping caregivers of children aged 0–8 years with developmental concerns or disabilities with the knowledge, confidence, and community connections needed to support their child’s development and family wellbeing. The program is delivered flexibly online or in-person through five interactive workshops, co-facilitated by a parent peer and an early childhood professional, modelling collaborative, family-centred practice. Caregivers are provided with a comprehensive suite of evidence-based resources, including participant handbooks, translated, videos, and resources lists, all accessible through the secure ENVISAGE Learning Hub for 12 months. All materials are regularly reviewed and updated by both service providers and families to ensure they remain accurate, relevant, and culturally safe. The program continues to be rigorously evaluated through a hybrid implementation study methodology, measuring both effectiveness and impact.
To complement the ENVISAGE Families program, ENVISAGE for Service Providers equips professionals with contemporary knowledge and tools to partner with families, respect lived experience, and embed family-centred practice across health, allied health, early childhood, and community services. This ensures services are delivered in line with the new Best Practice in Early Intervention Framework with consistency of support, so families experience collaborative and responsive family centred care wherever they engage. Importantly, the diversity partnerships developed through large-scale implementation across Australia, positions ENVISAGE with a strong foundation for future adaptations and expansion into schools, early childhood education, and community activities. By building the capacity of teachers, coaches, and community leaders, ENVISAGE can extend its impact beyond clinical setting to ensure children with developmental concerns to thrive in everyday environments. For example, in Queensland, in collaboration with the Shire of Mundaring, we have worked closely with a local school to embed delivery to help
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bridge the relationship between the school and parent community. This holistic approach aligns directly with the Thriving Kids initiative’s focus on inclusion and access.
ENVISAGE First Peoples
As noted in the terms of reference for this inquiry it is crucial that in framing the Thriving Kids initiative, that equity and intersectional issues are identified: in particular those that impact children who identify as First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse.
ENVISAGE addresses equity and intersectional issues by tailoring its programs to meet the needs of First Nations families and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, ensuring all families have access to relevant and culturally safe support.
The culturally responsive ENVISAGE–Families program, ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families can access a culturally responsive experience. Families may choose between the general ENVISAGE–Families program or the dedicated ENVISAGE–First Peoples program, depending on their comfort and needs. ENVISAGE-First Peoples was co-designed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to support families in ways that are culturally sensitive and relevant to context, community, culture and country.
To date 22 ENVISAGE First Peoples programs to 165 caregivers who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander have been delivered. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. 91% of caregivers felt listened to and understood, 97% were satisfied or very satisfied, and 91% reported improved ability to manage their family’s situation. One Aboriginal Service Provider shared: “In 20 years of working in this space, this is the only program that has hit the nail on the head.”
In Australia, 10% (n=182) of our participants have identified as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), where Australia is not their country of birth and English is not their first language. Engagement with CALD families is supported through partnerships with community-based organisations, the translation of program materials into seven languages, and the use of interpreted sessions to ensure accessibility and inclusion. ENVISAGE continues to consult with CALD communities to identify and address access barriers, particularly around stigma and concerns related to residency, and is building trust through culturally responsive and community-led approaches. Furthermore, ENVISAGE-International supports co-designed adaptation to the language, Country, culture, and customs of each setting, drawing on both local and international knowledge and best practice to ensure cultural safety and relevance in every implementation context.
Conclusion
To ensure Thriving Kids is a successful and fit for purpose initiative ACU recommends that the Government leverage its existing investment in highly successful, scalable, and cost effective approaches to family and children’s care as embodied by programs like ENVISAGE. Because these programs weave together contemporary evidence based concepts and promote multidisciplinary, interagency collaboration among health, education, social services, and community sectors to operationalise holistic models of service delivery, they will help government to deliver widespread initiatives that better serve children, families, providers, policymakers and funders.
The Thriving Kids initiative presents a timely opportunity to reshape Australia’s approach to early childhood development and disability support. Programs like ENVISAGE exemplify this shift, demonstrating how co-designed, scalable models can deliver culturally safe, strengths-based support across diverse communities. Sustained government investment and formal endorsement are essential to ensure such programs remain freely accessible to families and embedded across mainstream and community services. By weaving together the voices of families, professionals, and communities with best practice, Thriving Kids can deliver on its promise: that all children, regardless of ability or background, have the opportunity to thrive.
APPENDICES
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APPENDIX 1: ENVISAGE Program Supporting Resources
1.1 Published Papers
Pozniak, K., Cross, A., Babic, R., Cavalieros, V., Martens, R., Rosenbaum, P., Imms, C., Pavlic, M., Balram, A., Hughes, D., O’Connor, B., & Miller, L. (2022). Co-development of the ENVISAGE–Families programme for parents of children with disabilities: Reflections on a parent–researcher partnership. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 69(6), 653–661. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12811
Miller, L., Nickson, G., Pozniak, K., Khan, D., Imms, C., Ziviani, J., Cross, A., Martens, R., Cavalieros, V., & Rosenbaum, P. (2022). ENabling VISions and Growing Expectations (ENVISAGE): Parent reviewers’ perspectives of a co-designed program to support parents raising a child with an early-onset neurodevelopmental disability. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 121, Article 104150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104150
Miller, L., Imms, C., Cross, A., Pozniak, K., O’Connor, B., Martens, R., Cavalieros, V., Babic, R., Novak-Pavlic, M., Rodrigues, M., Balram, A., Hughes, D., Ziviani, J., & Rosenbaum, P. (2023). Impact of “early intervention” parent workshops on outcomes for caregivers of children with neurodisabilities: a mixed-methods study. Disability and Rehabilitation, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2143579
APPENDIX 2: ENVISAGE Program Community Engagement
| Platform | Description / Purpose | URL |
|---|---|---|
| ENVISAGE Website | Main program hub with resources, workshop information, and links to the Families, First Peoples, and Service Providers programs. | https://envisage.community/envisage-families-program/ |
| Social media highlights, and events from the ENVISAGE community. | https://www.facebook.com/EnvisageAustralia/ | |
| Social media highlights from the ENVISAGE network. | https://www.instagram.com/envisage.community/ | |
| Twitter (X) | Updates on program news, publications, and engagement opportunities. | https://twitter.com/envisagenetwork |
| Professional updates, research dissemination, and collaborations with ENVISAGE network partners. | https://www.linkedin.com/company/envisage-families/ |
APPENDIX 3: ENVISAGE Program Videos & Media
| Title | Description / Purpose | URL |
|---|---|---|
| What is the ENVISAGE Program? | Overview of the ENVISAGE program and its aims to support families raising children with disabilities. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZJkPle4mRk |
| Parent Perspectives – A Mum’s Journey with | Story of a mother who progressed from participating in ENVISAGE to facilitating the program. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q2mvJiUZjo |
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| Title | Description / Purpose | URL |
|---|---|---|
| ENVISAGE: from Participant to Facilitator | A parent peer facilitator describing their experience and the impact of co-delivering the program. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwYM9yWTOxs |
| Parent Perspectives – A Parent Peer Facilitator’s Experience with | ||
| ENVISAGE | ||
| Parent Perspectives – A Dad’s Experience with the ENVISAGE Program | A father’s reflections on how ENVISAGE supported his parenting journey and family wellbeing. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju1-F_jNLWE |
| What is ENVISAGE Service Providers? (ENVISAGE-SP) | Introduction to the ENVISAGE model designed for health and community professionals supporting families. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHfRmIGHmnE |
| Envisage - Discover our Envisage First Peoples Program | ENVISAGE First Peoples program, developed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Clu5pT9BeGM |
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