Assisting children who have a developmental delay or disability
Intereach is an early childhood partner delivering the early childhood approach to assist children younger than 6 years old who may have a developmental delay or concern and children younger than 9 with a disability, and their families/carers. The approach supports children and their families in developing the skills they need to participate in daily activities and achieve the best possible outcomes throughout their lives.
For the latest information about the NDIS, please visit ndis.gov.au
The early childhood approach provides families with early connections, including information about the supports and services available in their local community to help their child achieve their goals. This process includes working with the child and family to understand their unique needs and challenges and collaborating on a plan that suits these needs. This might include:
- Information and linkages to help the family access supports and services available in their local community;
- Short-term early intervention supports ( Early Supports);
- Building the family’s capacity and confidence to support their child; and
- Where the child may require longer-term early childhood intervention supports, help to request access to the NDIS
For children who have met access to the NDIS, the Early Childhood Coordinator will work with the family to assist them in applying for an NDIS plan that supports the child’s goals, explain the plan and support the family to link with their choice of providers. This process is outlined within the ECA Service Guidelines.
The service is guided by the National Early Years Learning Framework, Early Childhood Approach, Early childhood approach Best Practice Guidelines and NDIA legislation, guidelines and work practices. All early childhood partners are professionals with relevant training and qualifications who understand child development.
Would you like an Intereach Early Childhood team member to present to your group or organisation? Speaker Request form – Intereach
To learn more about the Early Childhood referral process click here
"It's the perfect plan for Lachlan"
Kelly - early childhood approach participant's mum
The Early Childhood Approach. How does it work?
You can contact Intereach if you have any concerns about your child’s development and our friendly Intake team can support you with information on early childhood development, local community supports and/or in completing a referral form to Intereach. Parents are able to self-refer to the Early Childhood Approach.
When a completed referral form is received, you will be linked with an Early Childhood team member who will arrange to meet with you and learn about your child’s development and your existing supports. Your Coordinator will collaborate with you to develop a plan to meet the needs of your family and support your child’s development.
Things discussed may include:
- Understanding the goals you have for your child.
- Connecting you with activities in your local community such as playgroups and parent support groups.
- Connecting you with mainstream services including health services such as a child health nurse, community health, and education settings such as childcare, kindergarten or preschool.
- Connections to practical information to help you understand your child’s development and their needs.
- Connections with other families for peer support.
- Connections to early supports, to build capacity in you and your child to promote everyday learning. Children younger than 6 do not need a diagnosis to get support from an early childhood partner where there are concerns about their development.
- Support to apply to the NDIS, where required.
Need more information?
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