There is now a nationally consistent approach for supporting children with developmental delay and disability. This follows the recent release of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Early Childhood Intervention Approach (ECEI) that will help all children, regardless of diagnosis, to achieve better long-term outcomes. Prior to the introduction of the NDIS, the procedure for providing support varied among states and territories, so a single, best-practice approach to early childhood intervention to meet individual needs was required.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) worked with leading early childhood intervention practitioners and researchers to develop the ECEI. Each child will be supported in a range of mainstream settings, such as preschool or play group, to give them an increased opportunity to learn and develop social relationships. A child who requires more intensive early intervention will get a support plan with the family able to choose a provider that best meets the child and their own needs.
The ECEI approach has already started in the Nepean Blue Mountains NSW, Townsville and Charters Towers in Queensland and will be followed by South Australia. It will be rolled out around the rest of Australia in line with agreements between Commonwealth, state and territory governments. The NDIA will continue to monitor and evaluate the ECEI approach as it is implemented and refine it as necessary.