BUSHkids 2017-18 Annual Report

Early Start

Delivering the NDIS in your community

Why is early childhood intervention important?

About the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) The NDIS is being rolled-out across Australia as a social insurance scheme aimed at ensuring that all people with a disability have access to reasonable and necessary supports to live a better life.The NDIS is administered by The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), an independent statutory agency of the Federal Government. About NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) The Early Childhood Early Intervention approach is focused on children with developmental delay aged from birth to six years of age, and their families and carers, in a family-centred manner. ECEI focuses on the individual needs of each child and works with families to link them with mainstream supports. The ECEI approach is flexible and focuses on family-centred practices delivered in natural settings, which leads to greater inclusion for children by building family strengths and growing the capacity of mainstream and community services to support children with developmental delay and disability. The ECEI Partner is the first point of contact for support, and discusses with the family the most appropriate supports that would benefit the child, including information and referral to other mainstream supports. The ECEI Partner assesses whether a child requires initial support or if more intensive early intervention supports are needed. If the child needs more intensive support, the ECEI Partner works with the family to access the NDIS and develops a detailed plan outlining the goals and the supports required to achieve them. In some cases, an immediate support plan is recommended to ensure timely access to the specialised early supports the child needs. NDIS ECEI services are delivered according to the principles of best practice based upon the available evidence. Early Intervention: seven key principles 1. Infants and toddlers learn best through everyday experiences and interactions with familiar people in familiar contexts. 2. All families, with the necessary supports and resources, can enhance their children’s learning and development. 3. The primary role of the service provider in Early Intervention is to work with and support the family members and caregivers in a child’s life. 4. The Early Intervention process, from initial contacts through to transition, must be dynamic and individualised to reflect the child’s and family members’ preferences, learning styles and cultural beliefs. 5. Individual Family Service Plan outcomes must be functional and based on children’s and families’ needs and priorities 6. The family’s priorities, needs and interests are addressed most appropriately by a primary provider who represents and receives team and community support. 7. Interventions with young children and family members must be based on explicit principles, validated practices, best-available research and relevant laws and regulations. Early Childhood Intervention Australia, 2016

The early childhood years lay the foundation for all future development. Recent scientific evidence shows that early experiences shape our lives by affecting the way our young brain develops. What happens to us in the early years has a major affect on our health and social development through to adulthood.Therefore have a secure foundation for development. The earlier a child is identified as having a disability and/or developmental delay, the more likely they are to benefit from strategies targeted towards their needs. The success of early intervention strategies not only assists families through the provision of extra support for their child, but also decreases costs to schools and communities in the later years as children transition to school. Early Childhood Intervention Australia, 2016 we must ensure that children’s early experiences are positive, so they

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BUSHkids Early Start

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Partners in the Community Program – Early Childhood Early Intervention • Bundaberg Service Agreement: Bundaberg Local Government Area (LGA) • Rockhampton Service Agreement: Rockhampton, Livingstone, Central Highlands, Banana Shire and Gladstone LGAs • Maryborough Service Agreement: Fraser Coast, North Burnett, South Burnett and Cherbourg LGAs • Maroochydore Service Agreement: Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie LGAs The NDIS Partners in the Community Program enables the Scheme to be implemented at a local community level. The NDIA partners with suitably-experienced and qualified organisations, with strong local knowledge and understanding of the needs of families with children with developmental delay or disability, to deliver Early Childhood Early Intervention Services.

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