Mr. Bernard O'Regan:

I will start and then maybe Professor MacLachlan and Ms O’Neill might come in. The Senator raised the question of the data that we have collected on family-centred plans, as well as the development of the systems around it. It is important to say that, fundamentally, the idea and principle behind a family-centred plan is simple. It is to sit with a family to ask them what is the priority for their child and how we align the services towards it. Any system we develop in terms of the metrics around that is a management information tool. The point should not be to tick boxes. The point needs to be around how we engage with families. The system we are trying to develop will be around the outcomes that flow from that, as opposed to ticking boxes. From a principle point of view, that underpins the approach that we are trying to take.

The Senator raised a point on how we grow an equitable service if there are people we do not even know we should be talking to and considering. This is fundamental to progressing children’s disability services policy. This is about how we try to work towards an equitable service for everybody. We are engaging with colleagues across services under Ms O’Neill’s remit to try to have joined up thinking around services for children. We are also working with colleagues in mental health services, primary care services and in social inclusion to work towards services for children. Those with disabilities are one group, but there are other children who have needs as well. We need to have as much integration and coherence as is possible. That is a work in progress. It is on our radar. The point the Senator made about possible unintentional or otherwise does not matter. If people are excluded from accessing services, or if they do not have the capital to be able to even engage with the system, then whatever other failings are there as well, that is a complete failure. This should not be about whether or not a person has that capital. Does Professor MacLachlan want to come in?