Thriving Kids Advisory Group

The Thriving Kids Advisory Group provided expert advice for the Thriving Kids initiative.

Role

We appointed an expert group to provide advice for the Thriving Kids initiative. They let us know how we can best support children and their families and kin across Australia. 

Terms of reference

Members

The Thriving Kids Advisory Group was co-chaired by the Minister for Health and Ageing and Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Mark Butler, and Professor Frank Oberklaid from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute. 

In addition, the group included experts from a range of fields including paediatrics, child development, research, disability, child and family services, health care, early education and schools, and First Nations perspective. Its members were: 

 

MemberBackground
The Hon Mark Butler MP (Co-chair)Minister for Health and Ageing
Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Professor Frank Oberklaid (Co-chair)Co-Group Leader, Policy and Equity Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Dr Anoo BhoptiCourse Director, Master of Occupational Therapy Practice Program, Monash University
Dr Caroline Croser-BarlowChief Executive Officer, The Front Project
Andrew DavisChief Executive Officer, Autism CRC
Angela FalkenbergPresident, Australian Primary Principals Association
Morgan FitzpatrickKoorana Child & Family Services and Lived Experience Parent Representative
Denise ImmsSenior Speech Pathologist
Matthew JohnsonPresident, Australian Special Education Principals Association
Dr Tim JonesChair, Specific Interests, Child and Young Person’s Health, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Skye Kakoschke-MooreChief Executive Officer, Children and Young People with Disability Australia
Samantha PageChief Executive Officer, Early Childhood Australia
Elly RobinsonPrincipal Specialist, Parenting Research Centre
Dr Louise WightmanClinical Nurse Maternal, Child and Family Health, Nurses Australia
Gretchen YoungExecutive Director Programs, SNAICC National Voice for Our Children
Samantha LivesleyChief Executive Officer, Department of People, Sport and Culture (Northern Territory)
Brigid SunderlandDeputy Secretary, Children’s Portfolio Coordination, Department of Premier and Cabinet (Victoria)

Communiques

Communiques from the Thriving Kids Advisory Group.

Final Report

The report sets out a proposed national model for Thriving Kids and reflects feedback from a range of stakeholders.

The report has helped discussions between the Australian Government and state and territory governments on the design of Thriving Kids.

The Australian Government and state and territory governments have agreed on the final design of Thriving Kids. This is shown in the national model for Thriving Kids and the roles of each level government outlined in the National Agreement on Foundational Supports.

Governments will keep working with people with disability, families and communities as supports roll out.

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