BUSHkids Annual Report 2022-23

NDIS Reset The NDIS launched its “Reset” on 01 July 2023, and intends to improve the way the Early Childhood Approach supports young children and families. Based on the 23 recommendations outlined in the NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Reset the NDIS has: • increased the age range for children eligible for the Early Childhood Approach from 0 to 7 years to 0 to 9 years; • redistributed work activity between the Partners in the Community and the NDIS Agency; and • i mplemented a new client record management system, PACE, for national rollout. The BUSHkids Early Childhood Approach Team has been upskilling in the necessary technical skills required for this transition to PACE over a threre-month period, as well as responding to increased referrals volumes and age ranges, whilst reviewing all aspects of the service delivery teams processes, systems and resources to meet the operational needs of the Early Childhood Approach Team. The enormity of this reset cannot be underestimated and will continue to be staggered in its rollout and uptake over the next 18 months.

ECA Case Study 1 The youngest of four children, one-year-old Liam was diagnosed with a rare neurodevel opmental disorder featuring epilepsy, profound global delay, and severe cognitive impairment. Liam experienced significant health needs and our aim was to support the family to increase his quality of life and create lasting memories. We supported Liam to receive an NDIS plan to ensure his needs were met by specialist supports. Liam’s family were able to focus on relationships and enjoying positive experiences together. His BUSHkids Key Worker reported “The family were so grateful to be able to spend quality time together. One of their enduring memories will be their trip to Sea World, supported by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”

ECA Case Study 2 Tommy was a lovely 15 month-old infant when his mum approached BUSHkids for support, with concerns about his development. She had noticed that he wasn’t doing some of the things his peers were starting to do – like babble, crawl or reach out for objects with his hands. Our Early Intervention Facilitator began work on an NDIS plan, in the meantime introducing both of them to our BUSHkids Physiotherapist who has a wealth of experience working with families supporting the development of babies and young children. Working with both at home to show mum how strategies could be implemented in everyday routines, after three sessions across a 12-week period the Physiotherapist noted “Tommy had started making a number of vowel sounds, engaged in back-and-forth sound play and was crawling and pulling up on furniture to stand.” Tommy and his mum are now being supported in the community through an NDIS plan.

Liam passed in July 2023.

“When we were planning on returning to Australia from the US, I looked online for Paediatric positions and found BUSHkids. It appealed because it was similar to the working environment I’d been used to and enjoyed. It was also important that I would be working with children from 0-6 where I feel I can make the most difference to their skills and futures. It was also important to me that BUSHkids provides holistic support for children and families and looks beyond the diagnosis or delay and supports families to learn and grow and help their kids.” Libby provides bridging supports for kids while their family apply for NDIS funded plans. “Bridging Supports are vital,” added Libby. “Because of the number of children being referred for supports there can be extended wait times of up to 8-9 months between referral and receiving a funded NDIS plan. When you’re referred at three-months-old that means they can be waiting for three of their lifetimes. Infants and toddlers are still making new connections in the brain and laying down new brain cells, so we have a chance to optimise those connections and teach them correct movement patterns.

Libby Brown is a BUSHkids Physiotherapist who works as part of our NDIS Early Childhood Approach (ECA) team. Libby started working with children when she moved to the US and has worked with kids as a physio in early intervention for the last 27 years. “I started working in Australia as a physio with adults in acute care with neurological conditions,” said Libby. “But when I moved to the US, I took a position as a Paediatric Physio in a rural home health agency. I soon realised I love working with kids. It’s so different working with young children who have such a massive capacity to develop, learn and change because they are at a time in life when they are still making neural connections and adding brain cells. “Working with children is so rewarding as they are little sponges, waiting to learn and also they are so accepting and forgiving and don’t care if you sing off key or act goofy; it‘s joyful. As a Paediatric Physio, you don’t just work with children: you’re also working with their parents and their family and sometimes their extended family. That’s really what I love doing. I see my role more as a coach to teach parents and family members how they can support their child to learn and grow and reach their potential in day-to-day life.”

Staff profile – bridging supports Introducing Libby Brown

Libby joined BUSHkids when she returned to Australia in 2022.

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Annual Report 2022–23