Enhancing support for all children: NDIS review promises a map through the maze
By Monique Power
As a parent of a child with disability (or pending diagnosis), navigating the complexities of support and service systems can often feel like you’re living in the mother of all mazes – the labyrinth. The NDIS was intended to be a beacon of hope for many families, offering tailored assistance to improve the lives of their loved ones living with disability. However, gaps in accessibility, fairness and inclusivity have persisted, leaving some feeling stranded in their quest for adequate support.
On January 16 this year, a significant milestone was reached with the release of the Independent Review of the NDIS Final Report. This comprehensive review acknowledged the need for change and proposed a series of recommendations aimed at enhancing the support framework for ALL people with disabilities, with special consideration for children. Two key elements in this review that are particularly relevant to families of children and young people with disability are the introduction of Foundational Supports and Navigators. These two recommendations show promise to provide everyone indiscriminately with a map through the maze. The NDIS will still provide supports for the most complex members of our communities, but it will no longer be the only system in the space. Regardless of diagnosis and strict eligibility requirements – all people with disability needs will have a place to go for support.
FOUNDATIONAL SUPPORTS: “THE MAZE” – A PLACE FOR EVERYONE
At the heart of the Review’s recommendations lies the concept of Foundational Supports. This idea is embedded in the notion that disability IS and ALWAYS will be ‘mainstream’. People with disability make up 15% of our population – disability is everywhere and it is an interwoven part of our everyday lives. The NDIS should not be the holy grail at the centre of the labyrinth that everyone is reaching for. With appropriate mainstream support the disability journey doesn’t even need to be a maze at all.
Foundational supports are a vital part of minimising the maze and making disability supports more accessible for everyone. You can think of these as the pillars that underpin ‘all thing’s disability and inclusivity’ in our country. They should function as a tiered system of assistance designed to cater to the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities (or additional needs) across many systems; health, education, early childhood and in the community to name a few. Unlike the NDIS, which has been likened to an ‘oasis in the desert,’ Foundational Supports will aim to provide a more comprehensive safety net accessible to all, regardless of NDIS eligibility or a once needed diagnostic ‘label’.
What are Foundational Supports?
The review proposes that Foundational Supports encompass two distinct categories: General and Targeted. General supports encompass essential services such as navigation assistance (a person who knows you and your community to aid you in your disability journey) and capacity building (the skills and tool kit resources to aid you as an advocate), available to all individuals with disabilities and their families. Targeted supports, on the other hand, cater to those with very specific day-to-day support needs; including home and community care supports, aids and equipment, early childhood supports, psychosocial support and assistance for young adults and adolescents.
NAVIGATING THE MAZE: A NEW ROLE EMERGES
To facilitate access to these foundational supports, the review recommends that a new role known as the Navigator be introduced for people with disability and their families. The aim is that Navigators will serve as advocates and liaisons for individuals with disabilities, guiding them through the intricacies of available services’ both within and beyond the NDIS. From assisting with access requests to connecting families with community resources and therapy providers, Navigators will play a pivotal role in ensuring nobody gets left behind.
How are these people different to a support coordinator/councillor/recovery coach you ask…?
They are totally independent to the NDIS and therefore – they work for YOU and your family’s unique needs. They are available to all people in need, not just the few who checked the box.
A unified approach: collaboration is key
Crucially, the Review emphasises the importance of collaboration among all levels of government and community to deliver foundational supports effectively. Through intergovernmental agreements and shared funding arrangements, federal, state, and territory governments are poised to work together in implementing these vital changes. This unified approach underscores a commitment to ensuring equal access to support services for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of geographical location or personal circumstances.
Looking ahead: a call to action
While the Review’s recommendations represent a significant step forward, their true impact will hinge on thorough implementation. As parents of children with disabilities, it’s imperative to advocate for the full realisation of foundational supports, the provision of navigators and the upliftment of mainstream services. It is important that we all hold governments accountable and demand consistency in service delivery, so we can ensure that no child with a disability or support need is left behind. The NDIS Review has the potential to herald a new era of support for children with disabilities and their families. Through the introduction of foundational supports and the establishment of a robust navigation system, barriers to access can be dismantled, and pathways to empowerment forged… the labyrinth is fading.
RippleAbility is a paediatric specific disability provider, helping families navigate complex systems of support and build their capacity to advocate for appropriate supports and services for their child. Email: [email protected] | rippleability.org
