BUSHkids 2016-17 Annual Report

NDIS

Delivering the NDIS in your community

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Early Childhood Early Intervention approach is focused on children with developmental delay aged 0 to 6 years, their families and carers in a family-centred manner. ECEI focuses on the individual needs of each child and working with families to link them with mainstream supports. The ECEI approach is flexible and focuses on family-centred practices delivered in natural settings which will lead 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 required to be the first contact point for Scheme supports. The ECEI Partner discusses with the family the most appropriate supports that would benefit the child. This includes information and referral to other mainstream supports. The ECEI Partner is required to assess whether a child requires initial support or whether the child requires more intensive early intervention supports. If the latter, the ECEI Partner assists the family with their access to the Scheme and recommends a detailed plan outlining the goals and identifying the reasonable and necessary supports required to assist in achieving them. In some circumstances, it is important to recommend a plan of supports for a child immediately to ensure timely access to specialised early childhood early intervention supports. 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 every day 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.

The NDIS is considered the biggest social reform in Australia since the introduction of Medicare. 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. NDIS Partners in the Community Program (PITC) The Partners in the Community Program enables the Scheme to be implemented at a local community level. The NDIA is partnering with suitably experienced and qualified organisations, with strong local knowledge and understanding of the needs of children and families with disability or developmental delay, to deliver Early Childhood Early Intervention Services as part of the program on behalf of the NDIA.

Why is early childhood intervention important? 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 the young brain develops. What happens to us in the early years has a major effect on our health and social development through to adulthood. Therefore, we must ensure that children’s early experiences are positive – that they 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

~ Early Childhood Intervention Australia, 2016

On the sensory pathway in Bundaberg …

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