Who We Are
Every Child. Every Need. is a parent-led, evidence-based advocacy campaign calling for equitable access to care and education for children with severe and profound disabilities.
Across Australia, families are being told that inclusion means enrolling their child in mainstream childcare, outside school hours care or school – even when those environments cannot safely or meaningfully meet their needs. At the same time, specialised programs that once provided safety, stability and developmental support are being defunded or forced to close.
We are providing a voice for the voiceless, who otherwise would be forced into situations no family should have to face.
Who Leads This Campaign
This campaign is led by parents with lived experience, supported by clinical expertise and grounded in rigorous evidence. We are passionate about giving a voice to children and their families who are overwhelmed by a system that is failing to support the 1% of children who deserve evidence-based support.
A/Prof James Morton AM
Father of Andy (26), who has Level 3 autism and profound intellectual disability.
A/Prof Morton is specialist and nationally renown leader in autism and early intervention; he and his wife Louise founded AEIOU. They were instrumental in advocating for HCWA funding pre-NDIS. His work spans clinical practice, service delivery, research and policy, with a strong focus on evidence-based specialised care. He is widely recognised for his significant contributions and is honoured to be a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal and as a Queensland Great.
Olivia Katter Hatch
Mother of Alfie (9), who has Level 2 autism.
Olivia brings 20-plus years experience in journalism and communications across media and government organisations. She has lived experience navigating early childhood education, care and disability systems for a child whose needs were not safely met in mainstream settings. As a busy mother of 4, she has experienced first-hand the sacrifices families are making to support their children and the beneficial impact having the right support systems can make for the family unit.
Clare O’Brien
Mother of Paddy (9), who has Level 2 autism and a speech disorder.
Clare brings extensive experience in advocacy, stakeholder engagement and partnership development, alongside lived experience as a single parent of a child with a disability. She is passionate about building educational and care settings that enable all children to participate. Her experience of being able to access funded specialised care for her child changed the trajectory of her child and families life.
Together, the campaign leaders combine lived experience, clinical expertise and policy capability to advocate for practical, equitable solutions.
We are not asking for special treatment.
We are asking for equitable access to care in environments designed for children who cannot be safely or meaningfully included in mainstream settings so they can participate – just like every child.
Who Supports Us
This campaign is supported by families, clinicians, educators, organisations and ambassadors who share a commitment to equity, safety and dignity for children with complex and profound disabilities.
National Outside School Hours Services Alliance (NOSHSA)
National peak body representing Outside School Hours Care services across Australia.
Queensland Association of Special School Leaders (QASSEL)
Represents leaders of Queensland special schools supporting students with complex and profound disabilities.
Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP)
Represents principals across Queensland’s special school system.
AEIOU Foundation for Children with Autism
Not-for-profit provider of specialised early childhood education and care for children with autism and complex needs.
P&Cs Queensland
Peak body representing parents and citizens’ associations across 1266 Queensland state schools.
Support reflects a shared concern that current systems are failing children with the highest needs, and that inclusion must be meaningful to be real.