Northern Territory Branch is the Northern Territory Inclusion Agency–(NT-IA) and NDIS Partner in the Community – Early Childhood Early Intervention – (ECEI) contactable on 1800 959 995
About
Early Childhood Australia NT advocates to ensure quality, social justice and equity in all issues relating to the education and care of children from birth to eight years.
The branch achieves this through speaking on behalf of young children to parents, governments, educators, carers and the community. We are committed to promoting high standards of practice in the early childhood sector and contribute to and comment on policy that effect young children and their families.
Branch Executive
| Name | Position |
| Sarah Lloyd | Chairperson |
| Heather Havens | Treasurer |
| Maree Toll | General committee member |
| Liz Chick | General committee member |
| Cecile Chavez | General committee member |
| Jacinta McInnerney | General committee member |
| Sim Kelly | General committee member |
| Jackie Bradshaw | General committee member |
| Renata Harris | General committee member |
| Maree Bredhauer | NT National Board member |
Contact
t: 08 8986 7142
t: 1800 959 995
e: ecant@earlychildhood.org.au
Maree Bredhauer maree.bredhauer@ecant.org.au (Branch Manager)
Street address: Unit 3, 10 Mel Road, Berrimah NT 0828
Postal address: PO Box 394 Berrimah NT 0828
Newsletters
ECA members from NT will receive newsletters from the branch regularly. Click below to view previous newsletters.
Below is a list of newsletters for the NT Inclusion Agency:
Media Releases
6 May 2016 – ECA NT chosen to lead Inclusion Support Programme for Northern Territory
Inclusion Support Agency
The ECA NT branch coordinates the Inclusion Support Agency in the Top End of the NT which is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education.
Inclusion Support Agencies (ISAs) are funded across 67 regions to provide eligible early childhood education and care (ECEC) services with practical support that will help services to build their capacity to provide a quality inclusive environment for children with additional needs. This includes working with eligible ECEC services to remove barriers to participation for children with additional needs, and promote and maintain high quality care that is free from discrimination, segregation and prejudice.
For the purposes of the Inclusion and Professional Support Program (IPSP), children with additional needs are those from the following priority groups:
- children with a disability or who are undergoing assessment for a disability, including children with ongoing high support needs
- children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- children from a refugee or humanitarian intervention background
- children from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
For the purposes of the IPSP, quality inclusive ECEC environments are those that:
- provide welcoming, accessible, supportive and engaging environments that are responsive to all children and their families
- use flexible programming approaches that are responsive to individual strengths, interests and needs
- build on and develop the strengths of the ECEC community (child, family, educators and community)
- work in partnership with families and respect their cultural values, needs and circumstances
- are well supported through networking with other relevant services and supports.
Eligible ECEC services may contact us on 08 89867142 for assistance if they have, or are intending to enrol, a child with additional needs, or they may be referred to the ISA by another IPSP Provider or other referral pathways approved by the Department of Education.
The objective for ISAs is to assist eligible ECEC services to build the knowledge and confidence they need to be able to offer quality inclusive ECEC environments to children with additional needs. This will enable children with additional needs to participate in the activities available in the service and to have the same opportunities as others to participate, belong, develop and succeed.
In particular, ISAs aim to:
- promote and support access to quality ECEC services
- help build the capacity of eligible ECEC services to successfully include children with additional needs
- ensure inclusion support is delivered in a flexible manner, and is responsive to the needs and priorities of eligible ECEC services
- ensure inclusion support is delivered in an efficient and cost effective manner, and in accordance with these Guidelines and the Funding Agreements.
ISAs are responsible for undertaking activities that provide eligible ECEC services with practical advice and assistance in accessing resources that will support them to build capacity and the ability to provide a quality environment inclusive of all children. These include:
- within the region, widely promoting the support and resources available through the IPSP
- assisting eligible ECEC services to access IPSP support and resources as appropriate, including professional development, the Inclusion Support Subsidy, Flexible Support Funding, Bicultural Support, Specialist Equipment and library resources
- engaging suitably skilled and experienced staff (Inclusion Support Facilitators (ISFs) to work directly with eligible ECEC services, to provide support, information and guidance that assists them to provide inclusive quality ECEC environments. The activities of the Inclusion Support Facilitator includes:
o promoting an awareness of, and responsiveness to, the identified priority groups within eligible ECEC service
o providing practical professional advice and guidance, and sourcing information to respond to identified needs
o providing on-site assistance with the development and review of planning to support the establishment, and/or improvement and maintenance, of quality inclusive environments
o where appropriate recommend applications for Bicultural Support or Specialist Equipment to the PSC to approve and action
o where possible, visiting the ECEC service when Bicultural Support is being provided
o assisting eligible ECEC services with the preparation of Flexible Support Funding and Inclusion Support Subsidy applications and, where appropriate, endorsing applications once completed.
- assessing and, where approved, facilitating Flexible Support Funding to eligible ECEC services
- assisting eligible ECEC services to link with relevant community groups, services and organisations
- supporting eligible ECEC services to work in partnership with families and local support networks
- identifying policies and practices that facilitate inclusion of children with additional needs in ECEC settings, and sharing these with eligible ECEC services and with other IPSP Providers
- adopting a ‘no wrong door’ approach to requests for IPSP assistance from the ECEC sector, and making referrals, as appropriate, to other ISAs or the relevant PSC or IPSU
- assisting eligible ECEC services to identify their professional development needs and opportunities, and make referrals, as appropriate, to the PSC, IPSU or providers of other services and programs
- supporting eligible ECEC services to engage in ongoing reflective practices and continuous improvement related to inclusive practices
- responding in a timely manner to requests and referrals for inclusion support from eligible ECEC services and other IPSP Providers.
NDIS Partners in the Community Early Childhood Early Intervention
Early Childhood Australia (ECA) NT Branch is an NDIS Partner in the Community delivering Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Services in Darwin Urban, including Palmerston and Litchfield. The ECEI program helps families with children aged birth – 6 years with assistance, advice and access to the supports in the local community.
If your child is aged birth – 6 years and has a disability, or if there are concerns with their development, they may be eligible to receive support from the NDIS through the ECEI program.
To find out more about the ECEI Program follow this link
How can we help you?
- We will work with you to determine the best supports for your child and your family.
- We will identify the appropriate information and community supports specific to your child’s needs.
- Where required we will help to request access to the NDIS and develop with families individual plans of supports.
Who can access this program?
This program supports families with children aged birth – 6 years that have a disability or developmental delay, in Darwin Urban region, including Palmerston and Litchfield.
What does it cost?
There is no fee for this service.
When can you access this program?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will roll out in the Darwin Urban region, including Palmerston and Litchfield, on 1 July 2018.
Program office hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Our ECEI Coordinators will meet you at a location and time that is appropriate to your family needs.
How can you access this program?
National Disability Insurance Agency Telephone 1800 800 110
For any feedback or complaints relating to this service, please visit this link.
Branch Meetings for 2019
All meetings take place at the NT branch office (location details are under Contact above) and begin at 8:30am.
Upcoming meeting dates:
Please check back soon for upcoming meetings in 2019.
Executive Committee meetings undertake:
- guiding branch leadership and representation in the community, advocating for early childhood and connecting with the community
- planning, establishing and reviewing strategic plans of the Branch guided by the national organisation’s strategic directions
- overseeing branch financial and legal requirements
- providing strategic guidance for the branch programs and services
- evaluation of activities of the branch
- risk assessment.
Branch Constitution
Branch Code of Conduct
The Branch Committee Code of Conduct can be downloaded here.
Committees with Branch Representation
• ECA Conference and National Council meetings
• NT Key Stakeholders Advisory Group
• Smith Family Foundation
• NIFTY
• Harmony Day
• Melaleuka Refugee Centre
• Families as First Teachers
• Families and Schools together
• Children’s Week
Scholarships and Awards
In May 2018, Early Childhood Australia NT Branch announced two scholarships of $1500 each towards costs for the Early Childhood Australia National Conference 2018, to be held in Sydney from 19 – 22 September.
Applicants were required, in 300 words or less, to describe how they would “be the difference”.
Many quality applications were received and after a rigorous assessment, the ECA NT Board have selected
- Monique Marzocchi, Clyde Fenton Preschool
- Gayle Chamberlain, Milingimbi Preschool
Congratulations to you both!
We hope you enjoy what will be a busy and informative program.
