Speak Out October 2017

Policy & advocacy

NDIS Concerns about the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) approach

The Honourable Jenny Macklin MP, SPA National Advisor Disability Cathy Olsson, SPA Chief Executive Officer Gail Mulcair and The Honourable Kevin Andrews MP after discussions at the NDIS ECEI Inquiry.

AS PART OF OUR ONGOING ADVOCACY EFFORTS SPA PREPARED A SUBMISSION, IN CONSULTATION WITH MEMBERS, TO AN IMPORTANT INQUIRY THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CHANGE THE FUTURE OF ECEI SERVICES.

The inquiry is being conducted by the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS. We are very pleased to report that SPA representatives were subsequently invited to appear before the Parliamentary Committee, with Gail Mulcair and Cathy Olsson giving evidence at a public hearing in Melbourne on 19 September. SPA holds a number of concerns about the ECEI approach as it is currently being implemented through the NDIS. While our members report that the ECEI approach has improved access to therapy and supports for many children, there is general confusion and lack of transparency about what the ECEI approach is and what families and providers can expect from it. Our key points and recommendations in our submission included: • The need to streamline and fast track the registration processes for qualified speech pathologists to register as NDIS providers. • That the NDIA recognise the variability of supports required for children with differing communication needs. The NDIA needs to seek advice from SPA and other stakeholders to develop processes to determine access, reference packages and recommended clinical pathways for children under the Early Childhood Early Intervention approach. • That the NDIA put in place processes to expedite planning and review time frames for children under the age of 6 years – in recognition that delays in process are likely to have a disproportionate impact on longer term outcomes for young children. A delay of 6 months is a “big deal” in the life of a 3-year-old. • That clarification is urgently required regarding the roles, responsibilities and service delivery parameters of state/ territory departments of health and the NDIS is supporting children with health and disability needs.

• That the NDIA convene a rural NDIS forum (including Speech Pathology Australia, other peak allied health professional bodies and the National Rural Health Alliance) to advise on issues relating to the support of NDIS ECEI services in rural and remote parts of Australia. Urgent issues to be addressed include sustainable solutions to the funding of travel, access to allied health with specialised skills, and telepractice arrangements. Systemic changes to the ECEI planning process include: • minimum standards relating to the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge of planners to be mandated (and monitored); • induction and continuing professional development training of planners on the roles of the allied health professions providing services to young children within NDIS; • review processes for plans to allow for mid-cycle reviews

so that plans can be amended in light of changes in functional needs or in response to key transition experiences in a child’s life.

As always, we are extremely grateful to those members who contributed their time and expertise to inform and strengthen the submission. The submission can be found on the SPA website > Resources for the public > Advocacy > Submissions

Sandy Fowler Policy Officer

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October 2017 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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