Disability Services

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (14:43): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding support for children with disability. Can the minister update the council on state budget initiatives that complement NDIS services, enabling children with disability to receive out-of-home supports?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:43): I thank the honourable member for her question. Indeed, as I did remark yesterday in relation to the disability access and inclusion directorate and the important work that it does on interface matters including health and mental health matters, we are really pleased that there is continued funding for what's known as the voluntary out-of-home care program, which provides $1.1 million per annum to meet our commitments under the VOOHC program.

This is complementary to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which funds support costs for children, including 24/7 staffing supports, home modifications and support coordination. In regard to the state's responsibilities, this is broadly described as board and lodging, so it essentially meets accommodation and living costs.

The group of children who are most likely to avail themselves of these services—and they generally do have very high support needs—are typically adolescent males who once they reach that stage in their puberty can exhibit some very challenging behaviours and can be very difficult for their parents to continue to manage them in the home.

So this is an important program for a small number of South Australian families to assist them to continue to be able to provide that contact with their families of origin and also get support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme.