As the first stage of the Thriving Kids program begins today, the NSW Liberals and Nationals have raised concerns that families across New South Wales still lack practical information about how the program will work.
Shadow Minister for Disability Inclusion Natasha Maclaren-Jones said Thriving Kids was announced more than a year ago, yet families still have unanswered questions about what supports will be available, where they will be delivered and how children can access them.
“Parents and carers deserve clear, timely information about the services available in their local area, who is eligible, how referrals will work and what, if any, will change for their child’s existing supports,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
“Instead, families are being asked to navigate a staged rollout while key details about service availability and access pathways remain unclear.”
The Government was unable to provide detailed answers to Budget Estimates questions about Thriving Kids, citing procurement activity that was still underway and saying further information would be published as it becomes available.
“The NSW Government has provided only vague assurances that existing services will continue, with no detail on eligibility, access pathways or timelines for targeted therapy and specialist supports,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
“Families need more than general assurances that services will continue. They need to know which organisations are delivering supports, how to contact them, when services will be available and how children can access targeted therapy and other specialist assistance.”
“Families cannot be expected to navigate a system that is still being built without clear, accessible and up-to-date information from the Government.”
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