For 100 years, Royal Far West (RFW) has gone beyond improving the health and wellbeing of country children, providing the developmental and mental health support they need to reach their full potential. RFW provides assessment and allied health services to children where no local or limited services exist. Through its Schools and Early Years Service, RFW has helped 31,806 children, teachers, and caregivers across more than 120 rural and remote schools and early learning centres, since 2019.
Take Ella, a bright and determined six-year-old from a small town in western NSW. Ella struggled with speech delays and sensory sensitivities, making school a daunting experience. Her mother, Lisa, recalls feeling helpless: “We knew she needed help, but there just weren’t any specialists nearby. We tried waiting lists, long drives to the nearest city – but nothing felt sustainable for us.”
Then came the turning point – Ella’s school was enrolled in RFW’s Schools and Early Years Service. Through virtual therapy sessions and in-school support by RFW staff, Ella received speech therapy tailored to her needs. Educators were trained by RFW to help her navigate the classroom environment, and Lisa was equipped with practical strategies to support her at home.
A recent independent evaluation of the Schools and Early Years Service by Dandolo found that service is delivering results for kids, families and teachers:
– 88% of children in the program achieved or exceeded their therapy goals, leading to improved classroom participation and social interactions.
– 90% of educators gained confidence and skills to support children with additional needs.
– 88% of parents, like Lisa, felt better equipped to support their child’s development, reducing stress and improving family wellbeing.
Lisa saw remarkable progress: “Within months, Ella started speaking more confidently, making friends, and actually enjoying school. I’ll never forget the first time she answered a question in class – she beamed with pride.” Despite these successes, demand for services far exceeds capacity. The program currently reaches only 3% of eligible schools and 1% of early childhood centres in rural and remote areas, leaving many children on waitlists.
For children growing up in rural and remote Australia, access to developmental, mental health and disability support services remains a challenge. This challenge is more often than not difficult to overcome. And the cost is immense – not just for the children who miss out on critical specialist support, but also for their families and the communities where these families live. The numbers paint a troubling picture – an estimated 190,000 children across Australia have health and developmental needs that are not being addressed simply because of where they live.
Distance is getting in the way of the vital support they need. Without urgent intervention, these unmet challenges could perpetuate a cycle of disadvantage that follows children throughout their lives. Recent analysis from Social Ventures Australia (SVA), in partnership with Deloitte Access Economics and the Mitchell Institute, identified 737 communities – most of them in regional Australia – experiencing high levels of early childhood disadvantage. Many of these communities also face childcare deserts, where families have little or no access to early education and care. These are often the places where early developmental issues are first identified.
Without targeted investment, children in these areas risk falling further behind, reinforcing a cycle of disadvantage. Jacqui Emery, CEO of RFW and Board Member of the National Rural Health Alliance, emphasises the importance of sustained investment: “Investing in early intervention services for country children builds not only their futures but also the resilience and prosperity of rural communities and the whole nation.” RFW is calling on the Federal government to commit to long-term funding for its services. Without continued support, thousands of children and families risk being left behind.
“This is a national issue,” urges Ms Emery. “We cannot afford to let geography dictate a child’s future. Continued funding is essential to close these gaps and ensure that every child has access to the care they deserve.”
For 100 years, Royal Far West has gone beyond so children like Ella can too. By investing in early intervention and expanding our Schools and Early Years Service, we can ensure that every child – no matter where they live – has the opportunity to thrive.
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