The Select Committee into Child Development Services Final Report tabled today has made clear recommendations to improve the accessibility and sustainability of the child development service (CDS) system which must now be prioritised by the Cook Labor Government.
Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education Donna Faragher said the Child Development Services in Western Australia: Valuing our Children and their Needs Final Report presented clear evidence for action.
“I have consistently advocated for improved funding and access to child development services across our State and consistently called on the Cook Labor Government to ‘think outside the box’ when it comes to initiatives that could assist in reducing wait times and increase service provision,” Mrs Faragher said.
“The recommendations made by the Select Committee in the report tabled today are wide-ranging and deserve priority to ensure the long-term sustainability of this critical service.”
The Select Committee examined issues including the development and implementation of a statewide electronic medical record system, the benefits of a single, online referral system, how CDS can interact more effectively with other government and non-government organisations, including the Department of Education, and the need to maximise the efficiency and the continued availability of a future CDS workforce.
Mrs Faragher said the Select Committee made 55 findings and 57 recommendations and she had made 10 minority recommendations.
“My minority recommendations include that the State Government commence a trial of an expanded model of school-based allied health services immediately, the number of language development centres be increased, primary and secondary-level child development services be expanded at existing Child and Parent Centres (CPCs) and that more CPCs are established across the State.
“Most importantly I have recommended that the State Government provide the required funding to give effect to the Committee’s recommendations as well as the minority recommendations.
“This will ensure the reforms needed to reduce unacceptably long waiting times and expand service provision are delivered for the benefit of children in Western Australia.
“Thank you to every family who has shared their story, everyone who signed the petition supporting my call for the establishment of the Select Committee and the many health, education and community service organisations who have continued to raise their significant concerns about the impact of unacceptably long wait times for children seeking access to these services.”
The Committee’s report can be accessed on the Select Committee’s page at www.parliament.wa.gov.au
