Supporting every child’s start: new framework guides early childhood intervention

Families, educators and practitioners working with young children who have developmental delay or disability now have a new national guide to help them provide the right support, at the right time.

The National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention, developed by the University of Melbourne for the Australian Government, outlines how early intervention services should work to achieve the best outcomes for children under nine and their families. The framework draws on decades of research and consultation with families, practitioners and the disability sector to define what good support looks like in practice.

At its core, the framework sets out eight guiding principles for best practice:

• Family-centred and strengths-based approaches that recognise the expertise and role of parents and carers.
• Inclusion and participation to ensure children can engage fully in everyday life at home, childcare and community settings.
• Collaboration and teamwork among professionals and families.
• Evidence-informed practice using the best available research and data.
• Culturally responsive approaches that respect and reflect family backgrounds and beliefs.
• High-quality and accountable services with continuous improvement built in.
• Capacity building to empower families and practitioners.
• Outcome-focused support that tracks progress in meaningful ways.

The framework also details how practitioners can apply these principles through five key areas of practice:

1. Building positive, respectful partnerships with families.
2. Supporting everyday learning and development through routines and play.
3. Focusing on each child’s strengths, interests and goals.
4. Working across systems to ensure continuity of care.
5. Using reflection and evidence to guide decisions and improvements.

For families and carers, the framework explains what to expect from quality early childhood services and how to shape supports around their child’s unique needs. It helps them understand the role of early intervention in building confidence, communication, social skills and independence from an early age.

Early intervention is recognised as one of the most effective ways to improve long-term outcomes for children with developmental concerns or disability. By establishing a shared national standard, the framework aims to ensure consistency, quality and inclusivity across Australia’s early childhood supports.

Families can explore the full framework and related resources through the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

For more practical information, see the Early Childhood Intervention Guide and Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) and the NDIS on the Disability Support Guide website.