Thriving Kids Sector and Workforce Development Plan

Have your say with the Stakeholder Survey 

Thriving Kids in NSW is being introduced across NSW gradually in stages from October 2026. 

Some General Supports for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and / or autism, their families, carers or kin, will start to become available from October 2026, followed by Targeted Supports from January 2027. More services will become available throughout 2027 as the program continues to roll out. 

To help the sector prepare, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is developing a Sector and Workforce Development Plan.  DJC has engaged NCOSS to undertake sector consultation to inform this Plan.   

The consultation with run through a survey, targeted interviews and roundtables.

Complete Survey Here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J7K7TB5 

What does the consultation hope to achieve? 

Through its ongoing engagement since 2025, DCJ has heard from the sector about the workforce, sector and system factors likely to impact Thriving Kids implementation. This next consultation phase is a critical opportunity to confirm what the sector needs to ensure successful community support

The primary question we are seeking to answer is:  

What sector and workforce development opportunities should DCJ act on first, and in what order?

Who should be involved in the consultation?

We warmly invite stakeholders relevant to Thriving Kids in NSW to take part, including the following sectors: disability, allied health, early childhood education and care, child and family, health and community services.  

What will the consultation involve?

A 15 minute survey is open over 15 – 25 September. We ask that it be completed once per organisation by a senior leader or their delegate. 

Complete Survey Here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J7K7TB5 

At the end of the survey, you can register your interest in participating in an online Roundtable on workforce development – for disability, early childhood, child and family, allied health and regional area (NSW Far West and Orana). 

Confidentiality
Your responses will be treated confidentially and reported to DCJ on a de-identified basis.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
DCJ intends to engage a First Nations organisation to lead dedicated engagement with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and communities, running in parallel with NCOSS’s consultation. Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations are welcome to complete our survey if they choose.

If you have any questions, please contact advocacy@ncoss.org.au.