NSW Government opens inquiries into early childhood for children with disability

Two committees of the New South Wales Government are enquiring into childhood development and education that will affect families of children with disability. 

The Committee on Community Services is looking into removing social and geographical barriers to early childhood health and development checks, while another committee is inquiring into children and young people with disability in NSW education. The inquiry will look at various educational settings and ways for the government to ensure principles of safety, equity and inclusion for all.

The public, including those working in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector has been asked to lodge submissions and both submission periods close on 29 February.   

Improving access to early childhoods health and development checks 

The Committee on Community Services is inquiring into improving access to early childhood health and development checks. Its focus is vulnerable children, especially those in rural and remote, Aboriginal, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, who have often shown less progress against developmental milestones.  

The committee will examine barriers that parents may face to get routine health and development checks for their children.  

It will also look at funding for early intervention programs and screening, so children with developmental issues are given proper support, including telehealth and other services.

Children and young people with disability in New South Wales educational settings 

A NSW Legislative Council committee is inquiring into children and young people with disability in a range of educational settings. The inquiry will examine the barriers to safe, high-quality and inclusive education, the effect of government policies, and the adequacy of resources and supports for educators and families. The committee will also look at the needs of disability education in regional, rural and remote areas.   

Following the recent reports of the Disability Royal Commission and NDIS Review, the NSW Government wants to make sure the NSW education system is safe and inclusive for all children, their families and educators. 

Further information

More can be found on the committees on the Parliament of NSW website, where interested parties can also lodge a submission.

For those who need further information or support about how to make a submission the NSW Parliament has created a factsheet.