Children, Young People and Families Reference Group meeting bulletin, 11 February 2026
The Children, Young People and Families Reference Group (Reference Group) met online on 11 February 2026. At the meeting, they discussed:
What they have heard in their communities
Thriving Kids
Advice currently in development on justice and home and living.
Principal Member Leah van Poppel and Reference Group Co-chair Associate Professor Lorna Hallahan led the meeting.
What members have heard in their communities
The Reference Group acknowledged the disability community’s and Members’ sadness after a recent tragedy involving young people with disability in Western Australia.
Members raised community concerns about Thriving Kids, and how it will impact families. Some parents are worried they will not be able to access the NDIS once thriving Kids begins. The Agency said it will continue to deliver the NDIS to children, and that there are no changes in eligibility for the Scheme at this stage. The Agency said it has not changed its early intervention approach, which families and children can still access.
Members shared feedback from the community that some information from the Agency is too ‘jargon heavy’ and inaccessible, and that more information was needed about reforms to the NDIS. The Agency said it is working to ensure information is available for participants, their families and carers in accessible and easy to understand ways. The Agency provided an update on correspondence going out to all participants and nominees in February about the new approach to planning. The Agency is trying not to overload participants and families
Members noted families are still confused about funding periods, and feel participant plans are inflexible. Many participants’ parents and carers feel they need more support. The Agency spoke about how the new approach to planning will include reforms to make participants plans more flexible.
Members discussed the increased costs associated with accessing disability supports and services in regional and rural Australia.
Members asked about the Agency’s use of artificial intelligence (AI). The Agency confirmed that AI is not used in the development of NDIS plans.
Out of sessions meetings
Members have recently participated in 2 out of sessions meetings. These meetings support advice that is currently being written by the Independent Advisory Council (IAC) on justice and home and living.
On 2 February 2026, the Agency’s Justice Planning Team addressed the challenges, risks and safeguarding initiatives required for children with complex support needs. They discussed what early intervention supports are necessary to prevent children within the youth justice system from reoffending.
On 10 February 2026, the Agency’s Complex Support Needs team discussed the Child Protection pilot program.
Both discussions will inform the justice advice.
Thriving Kids update
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing updated Members on Thriving Kids and foundational supports.
Update on IAC Advice
The IAC’s Independent Advisors provided Members with an overview of the justice and home and living advice that are currently being written.
More information on the Reference Group
The Children, Young People and Families Reference Group will next meet online on 30 March 2026. Find out more about IAC and Reference Group meetings and bulletins at the IAC website.
Information in Easy Read
The IAC publishes an Easy Read version of this bulletin. This is part of its commitment to accessibility.