New funding for children waiting to access the NDIS
Key point: The NDIA has announced new early intervention access to the NDIS with 6 months' funding for eligible children
Young babies and children have been missing out on early intervention funding
Young babies and children found eligible for the NDIS are often waiting months for their initial planning meeting to gain access to the NDIS and funding. Wait times of 4 months is reported by the NDIA, however Splash families have reported up to 10 months' wait.
The NDIA has announced a quick 6 months of funding to these children.
interim 6 month plans of at least $10,000
to children in the 'early intervention' category of NDIS (ie. 6 years or younger at the time of the plan)
to children who have been found eligible for the NDIS
where the wait for an initial planning meeting is expected to be more than 50 days
This interim plan will be replaced by a NDIS plan (ie after a planning meeting) within 6 months.
Further detail on this:
new participants without 'complex needs' receive standardised $10,000 plans
participants transitioning from another scheme, who do not have 'complex needs', receive comparable 6 month plans, or at least $10,000 plans. I believe this would include children transferring over from Betterstart, who would have been receiving less than $10,000 per 6 months, and would be given a $10,000 plan
participants with 'complex needs' are referred for initial planning meetings as a priority
See the media release for full details.
Early intervention has to be a priority
The announcement acknowledges: "Early intervention aims to reduce the impact of a child’s impairment on their functional capacity by providing support at the earliest possible stage. The approach builds on the strengths and capacity of the family and promotes increased inclusion and participation in a child’s everyday environments."
We love working with the families of babies and young children at Splash, the earlier the better! This is one of our key values, because of strong evidence for working with children as early as possible to optimise their learning opportunities.
Image description: a newborn holds a parent's finger, and a young adult cycles on the street. Words read: "The earlier the better, and it is never too late! We work with newborns through to young adults. Early intervention. Neuroplasticity."
Reference:
NDIS media release: Children to get faster access to NDIS supports
Shayna Gavin is a physiotherapist who is passionate about helping babies, children and young people learn functional skills so they can participate in life at home, school and in their community. Recognising that children do best in their own environments, she visits homes, schools, and leisure activities from football fields to ballet classes. She also has daily aquatic physiotherapy sessions available at two private swimming schools in Moonee Ponds and Greensborough, Melbourne. She combines principles of paediatric physiotherapy, Contemporary Neuro Developmental Treatment, motor learning, and swimming teaching to address the individual needs of each child and their family. She loves providing professional development to physiotherapists, allied health and education professionals, allied health assistants and swimming teachers.
