Save Willetton PlayConnect+– Don’t Cut Lifeline Services for Children with Autism, disabilities, and developmental delays

The Willetton PlayConnect+ Playgroup, supporting children with Autism, disabilities and developmental delays, is set to close by Week 9 of Term 2 due to mismanagement by PlaygroupWA and decision making on how it allocates its federal funding — despite high attendance and strong community support.

This closure impacts the longest running disability support playgroups in WA, leaving families without essential early intervention services. With recent NDIS cuts compounding the issue, families are losing one of the few safe, inclusive spaces available to help children build communication, social, school-readiness skills and helps them to reach their full potential. On top of this, two experienced, highly valued, and long term staff members who have been a huge part of this support system to parents, will be losing their roles in just a matter of weeks. 

Playgroup WA was granted federal funding for 6 playgroups, and has since created a 7th playgroup under that funding. The funding for 7 was never sustainable, and no extra grants have been given or applied for to keep the longest standing, and first Playconnect+ playgroup open. Support has been left empty in a wide central corridor in Perth, for families that need it the most. We are fighting for change, for the current families, and for all families that deserve access to this playgroup in future. It is a lifeline for many families.

While federal funding has not been decreased to the PlayConnect+ program, funds granted in the previous cycle have been expended by PGWA to cover more groups than were funded, now leaving a gap in provision of service to families and forced closure of one site. Not the most recent or 'newest' site, not the least attended, not one geographically situated adjacent to other similar services, but to close Willetton Playconnect+, the second largest attended and longest running of all the Playconnect+ playgroups.

We urge the government and Playgroup WA to pause the closure, renew funding immediately before dismantling a vital support system. 

Every child deserves a safe and inclusive environment. Parents of children with disabilities simply want the support needed to help their children thrive—so they can develop independence and participate meaningfully in society. Taking away essential services significantly hinders this progress, especially when early intervention during the formative years is crucial for helping children reach their full potential.

Sign now to protect this essential service and give our kids the start they deserve.