Annual Report to Children and Young People 2020-2021

This submission focuses on a particular group of NDIS participants in South Australia whose voices are not usually heard: children and young people with complex needs who are unable, or are at risk of being unable, to live in the family home.

Since the full rollout of the NDIS in South Australia in June 2019, children and young people aged 0 to 18 years old have consistently made up more than half of all NDIS participants in the state. Compared to other states and territories, South Australia has the highest NDIS participation rates of children across all three NDIS age groups 18 years and under.

Evidence overwhelmingly shows that quality, safe and stable housing is key to a range of positive life outcomes. On the contrary, inappropriate and unstable accommodation has significant impacts on the health, wellbeing and safety of people of all ages and abilities.

It is critical that the particular impacts of inappropriate accommodation on the rights of children and young people with complex support needs are acknowledged and addressed. This includes the impacts on their social and emotional development, their relationships, wellbeing and social connections, and their engagement in play, education and the community, not to mention their ability to access – and ultimately benefit from – therapeutic and behavioural support and other appropriate supports.

Specifically, the Commissioner recommends that the Committee:

  1. Consider the unique experiences and developmental needs of children and young people with complex needs who are unable, or at risk of being unable, to live in the family home, with particular regard to their:
    1. Rights, participation, safety and social and emotional development.
    2. Access to and engagement with education.
    3. Key transitions from childhood through adolescence to adulthood.
    4. Complex behavioural support needs and mental health needs.
  2. Consider the particular impacts of the following on children and young people with complex needs who are NDIS participants and their families:
    1. The conflict between what is ‘parental responsibility’ and what is a ‘reasonable and necessary’ NDIS-funded disability support.
    2. Planning processes and lengthy review processes that do not account for child and adolescent development.
    3. Thin markets and long wait lists for key NDIS-funded supports and mainstream services.
    4. The interface between NDIS and mainstream services and the lack of safeguarding mechanisms for children and young people with disability.
    5. Workforce consistency, skills and knowledge.
    6. Shortage of safe and available housing stock.