Early childhood advocates highlight disability inequities in discussion paper released today

A discussion paper outlining the early intervention system for children with disabilities was released this morning, highlighting the risks of the current system for vulnerable children who may be missing out on the support they need at critical points in their development.

Released by the Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Best Practice Network - a group of not-for-profit providers of early intervention services and/or early childhood education services in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory - the paper calls on candidates in the NSW state election to consider the issues and concerns raised in the paper and commit to positive system improvements in the interests of those vulnerable children.

The paper, Early Childhood Intervention and Therapeutic Supports for Children and Young People under Age 16, highlights experiences and observations of the disability system since the introduction of the NDIS with a view to prompting discussion about opportunities for improvement and to inform and influence policy decisions.

The introduction of the NDIS, the network maintains, has changed the service system landscape and requires reflection and review to ensure that the shared vision and outcomes are being realised. This is particularly important to ensure that the available supports reflect the changing developmental needs of children and young people over time.

“We fear that under the current system, vulnerable children may not consistently receive the support they need at critical points of their development,” signatories note.

“We also fear that without system changes, this will place long-term strain on health, community services, and education services, and that the NDIS itself may not be sustainable.”

Collectively the ECI Best Practice Network supports more than 4,788 children annually in early intervention services under the NDIS, and more than 16,873 children and young people annually in total.

Members of the Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Network include: