Supported by the Department of Communities and facilitated by Innovation Unit, this project involved 20 deep-diving interviews with a wide range of families as they navigated complex systems, including the NDIS, health, mental health, education and early childhood intervention on behalf of their children.
See our findings below:
Piecing the puzzle together: Insights Report – Our final report exploring the experiences of parents and carers, and 11 ‘directions for change’ for the future of the systems that they engage with as part of their child’s journey. Read our report.
Piecing the puzzle together: Max’s Story – We bring to life the journeys of parents and carers as they
secure support for children living with disability and/or chronic conditions, through the story of Max and his family. Read our report.
Committees and advisory groups
Carers Advisory Council to the Minister
Kiind CEO, Carrie Clark, is a member of the Carers Advisory Council to the Minister providing advice for communities on issues relating to carers.
Department of Education Disability and Inclusion Advisory Group
Kiind has been invited to represent families of children with disability on the Department of Education Disability and Inclusion Advisory Group to inform on key Department reform agendas impacting students with disability.
CAHS, Standard 2: Partnering with Children and Families Committee
Kiind is a member of the committee, responsible for facilitating improvements in child and family experience and meeting the requirements of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standard 2 and Clinical Governance Framework.
Our State Budget Submission highlights eight recommendations aimed to include children with disability and their families in all aspects of community life and education. Key points include the pilot of full-service schools, commission to scale up family-led models of evidence-based peer-support and a sector transformation fund.
Submission on General Supports and Targeted Foundational Supports
In our work with the Child and Family Disability Alliance (CAFDA), Kiind was proud to publish a submission featuring 20 key recommendations to strengthen the design of General Supports and Targeted Foundational Supports for children with developmental concerns, delay and/or disability and their families, carers and kin.
Submission to the Senate Inquiry into NDIS Bill No.1
Our response to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 [Provisions]. We include our recommendations for a more collaborative and detailed NDIS bill that balances fairness, flexibility, choice and control with the powers of the NDIS.
Through consultations with our members and lived experience of the systems they interact with, we identified three key themes that the WA state government can address to strengthen the inclusion, empowerment, and connections of children and families in WA in 2024-2025.
Carrie Clark, CEO of Kiind appeared before the WA Parliamentary Inquiry into Child Development Services on 17 February 2023 in relation to the role, availability and delivery of services across metropolitan and regional Australia and the impact on children’ overall development, health and wellbeing.
New bilateral agreement relating to the NDIS and its operation in Western Australia
This process represents an important opportunity for the WA government to reset the NDIS agreement and ensure WA public financial resources are applied to best effect in support of people with disability in our community.
Inquiry into support for autistic children and young people in schools
Kiind, with input from our members, presented an acknowledgement of some of the challenges autistic students’ experience in WA schools. This submission resulted in recommendations, based off lived experience, on how to best support autistic children throughout their schooling life.
In August 2023, Kiind presented a submission addressing the Carer Recognition Act 2010’s effectiveness in relation to real life unpaid carers. Our submission included recommendations on how to improve supports for unpaid carers and create a stronger community amidst a rapidly changing disability landscape.
As part of the Child and Disability Family Alliance, Kiind collaborated with Kindred and the Association for Children with Disability to present a submission into the NDIS Review, outlining 21 recommendations to make the NDIS better for children and families.
Kiind as part of the Child and Family Disability Alliance (CAFDA), welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft lists of NDIS supports. These lists are an opportunity to boost system connection and collaboration to improve the interface between the NDIS and other services.
Kiind conducted a poll to ask our members about their experiences using KidSport vouchers. Our findings detail challenges families face while utilising these vouchers including suitability and access issues, and recommendations on how the KidSport program can be made more inclusive. Read our submission.
Response to the draft National Autism Strategy
In May 2024, Kiind published a submission on the draft National Autism Strategy, informed by consultations with our members. We identified gaps and areas for improvement, including the need for a greater focus on children and education, and the recognition of neurodivergent families and their support needs. Read our submission.
WA School Education Act Review
We consulted with families and students to understand their perspectives on what needs to change in the WA School Education Act 1999. Our recommendations reflect their need for a more inclusive and individualised approach to education which takes student’s strengths and needs into account, and reduces the pressure on families to fight for inclusion. Read our submission.
Our partnerships
Child and Family Disability Alliance
This Alliance has been established between Kiind, Association of Children with Disability (VIC) and Kindred (NSW) to raise national awareness of the issues facing children with disability and their families, provide policy advice, increase representation in government consultative processes, together with researchers, and industry experts.
Disability Advocacy Coalition
The Coalition comprises 17 organisations in WA, providing a collective voice to ensure people with disability, their families and carers live good lives, their way.
WA Early Intervention Steering Group
Kiind is a member of the Steering Group which aims to improve access to early intervention services for families seeking support for their children, including working with other allied health organisations to improve service pathways, address service gaps and ensure best practice and family-centred approaches.
