Wilson, M., O’Connor, B., Drake, M., Scheinberg, A., Imms, C., Babic, R., Hui, D., Charalambous, G., & Knight, S. (2025).

Plain language summary:

This project aimed to: (1) understand goal sharing and collaboration experiences of service providers and caregivers, and (2) identify views on a digital platform that could be used to share the goals of young people with a disability between health (e.g., hospitals and health care providers), community systems (e.g., private therapists and disability services) and families of young people with a disability. 
Participants described their experiences of sharing and collaborating on goals. Important aspects of service provider and family interaction were reflected in the sub-categories: conversations and listening to families’ needs; collaboration and building relationships; and adopting a family-driven approach. Processes related to setting, managing and sharing goals were discussed by participants and reflected in the sub-categories: big picture and specific goals; communicating and documenting goals; goals need to be meaningful, using a structured approach and NDIS goals. Challenges and barriers experienced when sharing and collaborating on goals included limited communication; barriers communicating across settings; limitations of existing platforms; difficulty collaborating with families and a lack of funding or resources. 

Participants shared their views on using a digital platform for goal sharing. Ideas about the design of the digital platform captured by the sub-categories accessible and user friendly and functionality and preferred features. The potential for an improved process that could be supported by a digital platform was discussed and represented by the sub-categories: potential to empower families; collaboration and shared understanding, communication in your own time and everything in the same place. Factors that might impact uptake or implementation were raised including considerations of workload, some families might not engage with it and using new technology. 

Through this research, we developed a clearer understanding of how the goals of young people are currently shared, and perspectives on the use of a goal sharing digital platform. Key recommendations and proposed steps for implementation were developed in consultation with the project steering committee.