Fams recently hosted a Sector Conversation to explore Foundational Supports with our sector.
As members of DCJ’s Advisory on Foundational Supports, we saw this as a key opportunity to ensure the voices of our sector and communities were front and centre.
What We Heard
Providers are already delivering services aligned with this approach, but there’s still a need for:
- A shared understanding of what Foundational Supports are
- Clarity on how they’re funded and how they connect with systems like the NDIS
Opportunities
- Building workforce capability in neurodiversity
- Developing practice standards and partnership pathways
- Addressing NDIS gaps, especially in rural areas
Challenges
- Unclear funding for flexible supports
- Risk of families falling between systems
- Workforce and evidence gaps for neurodivergent cohorts
- Need for clear communication and resourcing
What’s Next for Fams
As the peak body, Fams will take this feedback from our sector to advocate for clearer guidance and messaging. These insights will also be used to engage with decisionmakers to ensure co-design with providers and lived-experience communities is championed.
We’ll keep working with you to ensure Foundational Supports are well understood, well resourced, and embedded in strong systems of early support.
If you’d like to find out more, you can:
- Go to the TEI & FCS specific information sheet or the DCJ website here.
- Complete the NSW Government’s survey
- Attend a consultation
