Webinar: Evidence to action: Strengthening children's development

• Karen Dimmock, CEO, ACD
• Dr Sarah Gray, Senior Research Officer & Project Manager, Centre for Community Child Health
• Professor Christine Imms, Chair of Neurodevelopment and Disability, University of Melbourne 
• Rowena Mouda, CEO, Ngunga Group Womens Aboriginal Corporation

Webinar recording

Webinar key insights

• The latest AEDC results highlight increasing developmental vulnerability. Fewer children are on track on five domains and developmental vulnerability on one or more and two or more domains is higher than the previous cycle, reinforcing the need for early and sustained action.

• The early years (0-8) shape lifelong health, development and wellbeing. Strengthening access to effective early supports can improve developmental outcomes and promote equity. 

• Integrated, coordinated service systems are essential for families of children with additional health and developmental needs. Simplifying pathways, reducing administrative burden, and improving collaboration across services can help families better navigate support.

• The National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention provides a strong, evidence-based foundation to guide consistent, high-quality support for children and families. The framework helps to ensure support is focused on families and provided in everyday places.

• Place-based, culturally safe and responsive approaches are critical, particularly in First Nations and regional or remote communities. Working with communities to design and deliver services leads to better engagement and services that meet local needs.

• Current policy and reform opportunities, including Thriving Kids, provide a pathway to embed best practice as standard practice, strengthen early intervention systems, and improve long-term benefits for children and families.