More child health nurse visits for Victorian kids amid NDIS shake-up

Victoria is set to enhance child health services by providing two additional visits with maternal and child health nurses for all children. This initiative is part of the upcoming Thriving Kids program, designed to support children transitioning off the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The Thriving Kids program, launching in October, will cater to children aged eight and under who have mild to moderate developmental delays or autism. These children will be gradually moved from the NDIS to the state-run program by 2028, while those with high support needs will remain with the NDIS.

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all Victorian children would get two extra assessments with maternal and child health nurses before they entered kindergarten and as they started school in order to identify any support needed.

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn announced that the state would also review the existing ten visits offered to children from birth to three-and-a-half years old. The review will consider concentrating these visits before a child begins three-year-old kindergarten. Additionally, Victoria plans to employ more allied health professionals and support workers, who will be based in maternal child health centers, kindergartens, and early parenting facilities.

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A child that gets a plan today [under the NDIS], that might look different to what these services look like in the future. But what we want to do, and what we've heard very clearly from families, is they want it to be easier, more efficient, meeting them where they're at.

Victoria is investing $514 million in the program over the first five years, with the Commonwealth contributing $360 million. Blandthorn assured that all children would benefit, though services under Thriving Kids may differ from NDIS plans. She emphasized the program's goal is to be "easier, more efficient, meeting them where they're at," addressing the need for timely support with milestones like motor skills or speech.

Meanwhile, the Victorian Liberals have pledged $156 million to help identify neurodiverse children at the start of their schooling from 2028, offering a $500 subsidy for initial specialist appointments. The Senate is also separately examining proposed NDIS cuts announced in the federal budget.

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Some children just need a little bit of support at some point in time with motor skills or speech or developmental milestones. And some kids will need ongoing support from Thriving Kids services.