The Victorian Committee for Families of Children with Disability has been created to give parents and carers an opportunity to provide feedback to the Victorian Government on policies, programs and services and ways to improve outcomes for children with disability.

The committee is an initiative of the Premier and Victorian Government to hear more from families of children with disability. Family engagement is supported by the Association for Children with Disability (ACD).

The Parliamentary Secretary for Disability will chair the committee.

Parents and carers of Victorian children with disability aged up to 18 years are invited to apply.

Priority will be given to parents and carers of children who receive individual support, such as the NDIS or funding at school.

We are seeking committee members that reflect the diversity of the Victorian community, including:

• Families supporting children with different types of disability
• First Peoples
• Culturally diverse families
• Parents or carers with disability
• Families from the LGBTIQA+ community
• Families from regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne
• Kinship, permanent and foster carers caring for children with disability

Preference will be given to people who are not represented on other advisory groups.

Being a committee member involves attending two committee meetings and two planning meetings a year. Meetings will run for 90 minutes each.

Meetings will generally be held online. Meetings will be held during the day, during school terms.

Pre-reading and meeting preparation is also required.

Committee members will be appointed for two years.

The first meeting is likely to be in late November/early December 2024.

The committee is an opportunity for parents and carers of children with disability to provide feedback to the Victorian Government on policies, programs and services and ways to improve outcomes for children with disability.

The committee will discuss topics such as:

• Education
• Child and family services
• Disability supports
• Healthcare
• Community inclusion such as sport and recreation.

Committee members will share their experiences and ideas about the topic.

Committee members represent themselves and not any organisation or business they may be associated with.

The committee is not a decision-making body.

Committee members are required to have their own devices to join online meetings.

If meetings are held in-person, committee members will be reimbursed for travel costs.

Committee members will receive an honourium of $100 for each planning meeting and committee meeting.

Complete the online application form by 10am Monday 7th October 2024.

Short-listed applicants will be invited to an online group interview.

Selected candidates will need to complete a Working With Children Check and national police check (costs will be reimbursed).

It is expected membership of the committee will be announced late 2024.