The Children’s Expert Advisory Group (CEAG) met for their 5th meeting on Thursday 27 February
2025. This was an online meeting.
Focus of the meeting
The chair, Ms Tori Stevens, General Manager Children Taskforce, National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) welcomed members to their 5th meeting and first meeting of 2025. The meeting focused Children’s pathway, early intervention, assessment approach for children, developmental delay and likely to benefit.
Children’s pathway
The NDIA Children’s Taskforce gave a presentation on the design of the new pathway for children younger than 9. The group discussed how to best engage and consult with essential stakeholders and what principles should underpin the design of the new pathway. Members’ feedback focused on the importance of ensuring all children receive the support they need, whether from the NDIS or other service/support systems and include children, young people and parents/carers with lived experience.
Assessment approach for children
The NDIA Children's Taskforce gave a presentation on considerations for the assessment approach for children younger than 9 seeking access to the Scheme. The group discussed proposed approach to access for children under 9 years of age. Members’ feedback included the importance of considering support needs as part of access decision making with further consideration of how this can be done without duplicating other assessments.
Substantial developmental delay
Members received an update on discussions from the CEAG subgroup on substantial developmental delay and discussed their advice on the definition of substantial developmental delay as per NDIS review recommendations. Discussions included the need for further clarification to be provided in the NDIS rules.
Likely to benefit
The NDIA Children’s Taskforce gave a presentation on considerations for likely to benefit definition. Discussions included given the Act does not define likely to benefit – would it be beneficial to have this defined or described.
CEAG Next Meeting
CEAG will meet again on 26th March 2025 - Online.
The next meeting will focus on discussions around design of the new early intervention pathway for children younger than 9 and design principles for the access pathway.