Recommendations


Access to the Scheme

Recommendation 1

2.30    The committee recommends that the NDIA clarify and publish current ECEI access points, and outline the future model for access arrangements.

Early Childhood Partners

Recommendation 2

2.37    The committee recommends that a nationally consistent process for the engagement of Partners be developed by the NDIA.

Eligibility

Recommendation 3

2.84    The committee recommends that the NDIA publish clear and comprehensive guidance around the eligibility criteria for children with developmental delay on its website.

Recommendation 4

2.95    The committee recommends that the NDIA publish information on its website about how List D is determined and how new conditions are incorporated.

Assessment tools

Recommendation 5

2.125  The committee recommends that the NDIA publish information on all of its functional assessment tools currently in use.

Recommendation 6

2.126  The committee recommends the NDIA clarify how it uses assessment tools, and specifically, how results are used to determine eligibility and level of funding of children with disability or developmental delay.

Recommendation 7

2.129  The committee recommends the NDIA liaise with the sector to co-design and develop a purpose-built assessment tool for children with ASD in Australia.

Adequacy of plans

Recommendation 8

3.40    The committee recommends that the NDIA provide ongoing and targeted training to Planners creating ECEI Plans for children to ensure they are equipped with the most up to date knowledge, expertise and resources in their decision making.

Assessment and diagnosis reports

Recommendation 9

4.18    The committee recommends the NDIA clearly communicate to families, Planners and ECEI Partners that assessment reports are not needed unless requested by the NDIA.

Recommendation 10

4.19    The committee recommends the NDIA ensures provision of funding for assessments in Plans is based on the Participant's needs and is not arbitrarily restricted to a yearly assessment.

Funding in plans

Recommendation 11

4.66    The committee recommends the NDIA urgently address the issues of scope and level of funding in Plans for children with autism with a view to ensuring that recommended evidence-based supports and therapies are fully funded.

Recommendation 12

4.69    The committee recommends the NDIA implement the Provision of Hearing Services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme recommendation 5 in relation to early intervention packages which says:

The committee recommends NDIA ensures that the early intervention packages take a holistic approach to the needs of Participants and include:

  • scaled funding, depending on need;
  • funding provision for additional services beyond core supports, depending on need; and
  • retrospective payment of the costs borne by approved service providers for the provision of necessary and reasonable supports between time of diagnosis and Plan enactment.

Recommendation 13

4.73    The committee recommends the NDIA reviews and clarifies its Operational Guidelines on funding for assistive technology with the view of ensuring that Participants can access the most appropriate equipment to meet their needs.

Recommendation 14

4.76    The committee recommends funding be made available in Plans for interpreters, including funding an interpreter to communicate with the Participant's parents or carers.

Recommendation 15

4.78    The committee recommends the NDIA consider allocating specific funding for the development and provision of tailored support programs for parents, carers and siblings of children with disability through the ILC.

Provision of ECEI services in rural and remote areas

Recommendation 16

4.134  The committee recommends the NDIA develop a strategy to foster greater use of technology to deliver services in regional, rural and remote areas.

Adequacy of information

Recommendation 17

5.23    The committee recommends that the NDIA consult and engage with key stakeholders to continually improve ECEI information on its website.

Recommendation 18

5.38    The committee recommends that the NDIA allocate specific funding for information and support for vulnerable families to connect with ECEI Partners through the ILC.

Accessibility of Approach

Recommendation 19

5.53    The committee recommends that the NDIA collaborate with people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and CALD communities, to co-design and develop accessible information about the Scheme, the ECEI Approach, and how to use funds to access services.

Recommendation 20

5.55    The committee recommends that the NDIA develop a specific strategy to deliver culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people under the ECEI Approach.

Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page