Parliamentary Submission Inclusion of Childhood Continence Services in the Thriving Kids Program
Submitted by: Conquip Consulting Pty Ltd Trading as Continence at Conquip
Contact: Tracey Sutton - Director / Continence Consultant
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Phone: (03) 9876 3374
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Date: 22 September 2025
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Organisational Background
- Scope of Services
- Impact on Families
- Historical Program Delivery
- Recommendations for the Thriving Kids Program
- Additional Considerations
- Supporting Materials
- Conclusion
1. Introduction
Conquip Consulting Pty Ltd, trading as Continence at Conquip (Conquip), is a long-standing provider of early intervention childhood continence services in Victoria. With over 25 years of service delivery experience, our organisation has supported thousands of children aged 5–16 and their families through state-funded programs and NDIS packages. Through our private practice we have also provided continence assistance for many children under the age of 5 years. We respectfully submit this document to advocate for the formal inclusion of childhood continence services within the Thriving Kids Program and to request participation in the advisory and decision-making processes shaping its future.
2. Organisational Background
Conquip has delivered continence services under the Department of Human Services (now the Department of Health and Human Services) and continues to support children through NDIS-funded packages. Our team includes:
- Division 1 Continence Nurses
- Division 1 Continence/Urology Nurse Specialists
- Continence Therapists with qualifications in disability, behavioural training, and postgraduate continence education
Many of our staff also bring lived experience with disability and the NDIS, enhancing our empathy and effectiveness in service delivery.
3. Scope of Services
Our approach integrates medical guidance with behavioural strategies, tailored to each child’s unique needs and disability profile. Services include:
- Specialist continence nurse medico-legal reports. Expert opinions are provided for children, including for many who are under the age of 5 years who have a disability and incontinence.
- Direct support for NDIS participants and families
- Education/training for staff of state primary and special schools, early educators, occupational therapists, and support workers
- Participation in team meetings addressing behavioural challenges related to toileting.
- Continence support for children involved with child protection services.
4. Impact on Families
Incontinence in children with disabilities is a significant contributor to carer stress and burnout. Families often arrive at our clinic feeling hopeless, having exhausted conventional strategies. Our motto— “never say never”—reflects our commitment to helping every child to reach their potential with toileting skills, regardless of the complexity of their disability type.
5. Historical Program Delivery
Conquip was honored to deliver the Continence Support Service (CSS) for children aged 5–16 for the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne until the transition to the NDIS. We consistently met all auditing and quarterly reporting requirements. While the CSS was largely successful, it faced limitations including:
- Capped participant numbers
- Long waitlists
- One-size-fits-all funding model
6. Recommendations for the Thriving Kids Program
We propose the following enhancements to the Thriving Kids Program:
- Start Continence Support from Age 4
- Early intervention can reduce long-term reliance on the NDIS and other services, particularly for children over age 9. Children with a neurological disability often experience delayed acquisition of toileting skills. Without timely support, they face barriers to independence, increased risk of exclusion, and diminished quality of life. Developmentally appropriate continence care—tailored to cognitive and physical needs—is essential to prevent lifelong dependence and promote inclusion.
- Flexible, Needs-Based Funding
- Introduce a multi-tiered continence package tailored to each child’s complexity—considering mobility, cognitive ability, and disability profile. Enable multidisciplinary team approaches to ensure best practice and promote optimal outcomes.
- Regional Access and Equity
- Ensure services are available across major cities and regional areas, via clinics or visual telehealth. Support choice and control for families, and the inclusion of skilled, experienced continence experts dedicated to children’s services.
- Professional Development and Collaboration
- Introduce / fund specific continence training for educators, therapists, and support workers, focused on children with special needs.
- Advisory Role for Conquip
- Include Conquip in the advisory and decision-making process, leveraging our decades of experience, lived insight, and the voices of families and participants eager to contribute.
7. Additional Considerations
A. Cost Savings and System Efficiency
Early Continence Intervention can potentially reduce preventable complications and long-term support needs, including:
- Hospital admissions, for example due to urinary sepsis, bowel obstruction, megacolon, chronic constipation and/or skin breakdown
- High-intensity support requirements
- School refusal by a child and absenteeism
- NDIS core support dependency.
- Carer burnout
Funding early continence care programs is a direct way to uphold the rights of the child and reduce systemic neglect. It ensures that all children—regardless of ability—receive the dignity, support, and inclusion they are entitled to and deserve.
B. Evidence-Based Practice
To align with international continence guidelines (ICCS, NICE) and behavioural frameworks like Signposts to apply multidisciplinary models proven effective in pediatric disability care.
C. Equity for Marginalised Groups
Continence support is especially critical for children in child protection, CALD communities, and those with trauma or neurodivergence, where toileting challenges intersect with broader developmental needs.
D. Mental Health and Life Outcomes
Children with persistent incontinence related to neurological disability are significantly more likely to experience mental health issues during childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. Early intervention—including timely assessment, management of constipation, and access to psychological support—can prevent escalation and foster healthier outcomes. Continence care directly influences self-esteem, learning, and social development. By addressing continence needs early, we can reduce disparities and enhance children’s the physical and psychological well-being of children who have a disability.
E. Data and Outcomes
Conquip supports hundreds of families annually. Preliminary survey data shows a significant percentage of children accessing our services make measurable progress towards their toileting goals/independence.
F. Alignment with the “Convention on the Rights of the Child”
Continence support contributes to the Victorian Government’s Early Years Reform agenda, NDIS sustainability, and improved mental health and wellbeing for children and carers.
8. Supporting Materials
Survey results from families accessing continence support under the NDIS (to be submitted before 3 October 2025) Client survey
Link to survey results parents asked to completed by October 3 rd 2025. H\Clients under 14 survey 11-9-25.xlsx
9. Conclusion
Conquip Consulting Pty Ltd is committed to ensuring that high-quality, regionally delivered continence support continues to be available to children and families across Victoria.
We request the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Thriving Kids Program and respectfully request inclusion in the development of early intervention continence services withing the Thriving Kids Program under development.
Contact: Tracey Sutton, Director / Continence Consultant
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Phone: (03) 9876 3374
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