Caring for a child with complex disabilities puts families under additional stress. MacKillop’s Parenting Children with Complex Disability program is a child-focused and family centred service which helps families to stay together. This includes advocating for families that have one or more children with complex disability needs to receive the required support from NDIS.
The program works in collaboration with the NDIA to ensure necessary supports are in place. This enables families to continue care in the family home and in exceptional circumstances, in accommodation outside the home.
The Parenting Children with Complex Disability program aims to:
- support families to access the NDIS and put necessary supports in place
- support successful NDIS outcomes for families
- help families to build resilience and improve functioning
- support children with complex disability to remain in the home
- support children residing outside the home to return home (where possible)
- support relationships between family members when a child is living outside of home.
Families seeking to access this service must meet the following requirements:
- Live in the City of Brimbank or Melton
- Children who require this service present with complex disability support needs which cannot be met at home by their families without substantial supports, but do not require a statutory intervention.
- Have multiple needs impacting on the care and development of children and young people.
How to access this service:
The Parenting Children with Complex Disability program is available free to families. Referrals into the program can come via:
- Disability Practice Advice teams
- The Orange Doors
- From within a provider agency
- External community service organisations will contact The Orange Door to refer families to the program. The divisional PDPA or their delegate must endorse all referrals.
If the program is at capacity, providers will review other family service offerings that can support the family. Families are not wait listed for supports.
How much does the program cost?
The Parenting Children with Complex Disability program is a free service.
What age group does the program support?
The Parenting Children with Complex Disability program support children and young people aged 0-18 years.
Does the program provide mental health support?
The Parenting Children with Complex Disability program can refer and link clients with external mental health support providers.
Does a family need an NDIS plan to access the Parenting Children with Complex Disability program?
No, families are not required to have an NDIS plan to receive a support from the Parenting Children with Complex Disability program.
How long can a family receive support for?
The Parenting Children with Complex Disability program will work with the family until all identified goals are achieved.
Does a family need to be referred by a service?
Yes. Referrals into the program can come via:
- DFFH Disability Practice Advice
- The Orange Door
- From within a provider agency
- External community service organisations will contact The Orange Door to refer families to the program. The divisional PDPA or their delegate must endorse all referrals.
- If the program is at capacity, providers will review other family service offering that can support the family.
