Transitioning from Early Childhood Approach to NDIS

The Early Childhood Approach within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is aimed at supporting younger children. At a specified age, there is a transition out of the Early Childhood Approach either into being managed by NDIS Local Area Coordinators, or to general community resources.  This article helps busy parents and carers understand what the Early Childhood Approach is, and what that transition process involves, so that you can best support the next phase of your child’s life.

 

What is the Early Childhood Approach?

You may know the program as “Early Childhood Early Intervention” (ECEI). There was a ‘reset’ of the ECEI and the program is now called the “Early Childhood Approach”. The Early Childhood Approach is aimed at supporting young children who need early intervention with development concerns, development delays (whether permanent or not) and/or living with disability. These children have the support of a government-nominated Early Childhood Partner. A child in the Early Childhood Approach may have an assessed disability and continue on to be on the NDIS, but doesn’t have to be. The aim of the Early Childhood Approach is to provide support and advice – Early Connections – to best meet the child’s needs.

What ages does the Early Childhood Approach apply to?

In the Early Childhood Approach, there are two important age brackets:
  • Children under the age of 7
  • Children under the age of 9.
The Early Childhood approach applies up to the age of 7 for children who need extra support but are not NDIS participants. From 1 July 2023, the program now also applies to the age of 9 for children who are NDIS participants, ie children who have been diagnosed with a disability prior to the age of 7. This is to make sure that children and their families are supported by an Early Childhood Partner during and after starting primary school.

Who is the Early Childhood Partner?

The Early Childhood Partner is an organisation in the community (not the government), and varies for each local area. They coordinate supports for children up to the age of 9. After this, for children living with disability, coordination transfers, to the Local Area Coordinator. The Early Childhood Partner can be the same organisation as the Local Area Coordinator, but that isn’t always the case.

Children under the age of 7 and the Early Childhood Approach

A child under the age of 7 does not need to have a diagnosed disability to be in the Early Childhood Approach, although some children will have a diagnosis.  To stay in the Early Childhood Program until the age of 9, the child must have a formal eligible diagnosis and be accepted as a NDIS participant. If not, they must transition out of the Early Childhood Approach to community supports by the time they turn 7.

Children under the age of 9 and the Early Childhood Approach

Children who have a disability and are NDIS participants remain in the Early Childhood Approach until the age of 9.  There is one exception. Children who are NDIS participants and who turned 7 before 1 July 2023 transitioned to a Local Area Coordination partner. Everyone else, who is eligible, will stay with an Early Childhood Partner until they turn 9.

What happens when it’s time to transition out of the Early Childhood Approach?

When your child reaches the age to transition out of the Early Childhood Approach (either 7 or 9), one of three pathways is possible. Your child may:
  • not be eligible to become a NDIS participant
  • become a NDIS participant
  • continue to be a NDIS participant.

Your child is not eligible to become a NDIS participant

Your child may have built skills and capacity and may no longer need additional supports. In this case, they won’t be eligible to be a NDIS participant. If they aren’t eligible, any supports from the age of 7 would need to be provided through other community resources. If you are not satisfied with the outcome you can apply for a review.

Your child becomes a NDIS participant

If your child does not yet have a diagnosis and is not a NDIS participant, there will be a check before the age of 7 to see if they meet the disability requirements. They will need a formal diagnosis to participate in the NDIS. Your child’s doctor will be able to advise on the steps required. With an appropriate diagnosis, your child will become eligible to be a NDIS participant, and can remain in the Early Childhood Approach until the age of 9. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, there will be a planning meeting. Shortly after the meeting you will receive a NDIS Plan with goals. Your child will receive NDIS funding. This will be allocated to help them achieve the NDIS objectives set out in their NDIS Plan. This summary explains how your child’s NDIS funding works. Typically, 2 out of every 5 plans also includes funding for a Support Coordinator. You will always be able to decide how you would like your child to receive their supports and who from.

Your child continues to be a NDIS participant

If your child is already a NDIS participant, ie has a diagnosis which was provided to NDIS and accepted into the NDIS, they will transition, at the age of 9, to having a Local Area Coordinator rather than an Early Childhood Partner. Sometimes this is still the same organisation as the Early Childhood Partner. It varies by local area.  If you have a Support Coordinator then they will continue to be responsible for implementation support. If you don’t have a Support Coordinator then the Local Area Coordinator will provide some initial support to help you get your NDIS plan started. If your current NDIS plan has some time to run, it may be reviewed when it expires, rather than strictly around your child’s ninth birthday.

Preparing for the transition out of the Early Childhood Approach

The Early Childhood Approach exists to support young children so that they have the best possible start in life:
  • for their development
  • for their wellbeing (and their family’s wellbeing)
  • to be able to take part in the community.
As your child approaches the transition age, it’s important to think about what evidence you need to support that transition.

My child is not yet a NDIS participant

If your child does not have a formal diagnosis and is likely to need ongoing support, then you will need to go through the diagnosis process. This can take many months and assessment visits, and can be a significant expense.  Make sure you leave enough time to get through the diagnostic process. Many practitioners are also booked months ahead. Some pediatricians would rather your child see allied health practitioners from their preferred list. 

My child is already a NDIS participant

For children who already have a NDIS plan, it will get reviewed. As with any NDIS planning meeting, it’s important to have as much information available for that meeting as you can. This includes reports from therapists and support workers, as well as your own notes.  Your child’s funding will be related to their NDIS goals and the extent of supports required. But it’s also helpful to communicate how and why you spent their previous funding. If you’ve reached the limit or underspent the funding you had allocated, it’s important to set out the reasons why. For example, there are long waiting lists for some types of therapy, limiting access for NDIS participants in some regions. Or your child may prefer a particular support worker and won’t accept any other support worker.

Conclusion

The transition process from Early Childhood Approach to the NDIS can be complicated and difficult for busy parents and carers to understand. This article helps explain the transition process and the possible outcomes for the next phase of your child’s life. It is important to prepare for the transition well in advance, so that it’s goes smoothly. We can help you understand what is involved. Contact us today to find out more about the Early Childhood Approach.