Early Childhood
Intervention
Services Flexible
Support Packages
Guidelines for families and
ECIS professionals
Published by the
Department of Education and
Early Childhood Development
Melbourne
October 2014
©State of Victoria (Department of Education
and Early Childhood Development) 2014
The copyright in this document is owned by the State of Victoria
(Department of Education and Early Childhood Development), or in
the case of some materials, by third parties (third party materials).
No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance
with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968, the National
Education Access Licence for Schools (NEALS) (see below) or
with permission.
An educational institution situated in Australia which is not
conducted for profit, or a body responsible for administering such
an institution may copy and communicate the materials, other than
third party materials, for the educational purposes of the institution.
Authorised by the Department of Education
and Early Childhood Development,
2 Treasury Place, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.
ISBN 978-0-7594-0780-0
This document is also available on the internet at
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/parents/needs/pages/fle
xiblesupportpackages.aspx.
Contents
1. Introduction
1.1
Purpose of the guidelines
7
2. Overview of Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages (ECIS FSP)
2.1
The purpose of ECIS FSP
8
2.2
What is ECIS FSP?
8
2.3
Objectives of ECIS FSP
9
3. Who is eligible to apply for ECIS FSP?
Criterion 1: The child has been approved for State funded ECIS
10
Criterion 2: Supports are identified in the current Family Services and Support Plan 10
Criterion 3: Supports can only be provided through ECIS FSP funding allocation
11
Criterion 4: Supports fit an approved category for funding
11
Criterion 5: Supports are targeted and time-limited
12
4. What types of supports are funded through ECIS FSP?
4.1
Safety standards and regulations
16
4.2
Other services and supports for families
17
5. Applying for ECIS FSP
5.1
Initiating an ECIS FSP application
19
5.2
Completing an application for ECIS FSP
19
6. Exceptional circumstances
6.1
What are exceptional circumstances?
23
6.2
Application process for exceptional circumstances
23
7. Assessment of my application
7.1
Receipt of applications and confirmation of completeness
24
7.2
Assessment by the Regional Assessment Panel
24
Contents
3
8. Successful applications
8.1
What is the process for purchasing the approved goods or services?
25
8.2
Following the purchase of approved goods or services
25
9. Appeals and complaints
9.1
Appealing a decision
26
9.2
Making a further appeal
27
9.3
Making a complaint
27
10. Key roles and responsibilities
10.1
Allocated ECIS professional
28
10.2
ECIS Manager
28
10.3
ECIS FSP Coordinators
28
11. Appendices
APPENDIX A: Practice Principles
29
APPENDIX B: Frequently Asked Questions
31
APPENDIX C: Support programs and services
32
APPENDIX D: Privacy information for families
37
APPENDIX E: ECIS FSP agency details
38
APPENDIX F: DEECD Regional Contacts
39
APPENDIX G: ECIS FSP and Statewide Equipment Program (SWEP)
40
4
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
Acronym list
A&EP
Aids and Equipment Program
DEECD
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
ECDS
Electronic Communication Devices Scheme
ECIS
Early Childhood Intervention Services
FSP
Flexible Support Packages
FSSP
Family Services and Support Plan
PAPA
Performance and Planning Adviser
RAP
Regional Assessment Panel
SWEP
State-wide Equipment Program
Definitions
FAMILY
In the context of these guidelines, family may refer to biological, adoptive or
step parents, siblings, grandparents or other extended family members, foster carer or other legal
guardians of the child with a disability or developmental delay.
1.
Introduction
1.1
Purpose of the guidelines
The guidelines have been developed to ensure a clear and consistent understanding of the
purpose for Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages (ECIS FSP)
and how they are provided across the State.
The FSP program:
 is informed by research that identifies the crucial role of Early Childhood
Intervention Services (ECIS) in building the capacity of the key people in a child’s
life to support their learning, development and wellbeing

recognises the importance of both formal and informal supports for families when
they have a child with a disability or developmental delay.
Introduction
7
2.
Overview of Early Childhood Intervention
Services Flexible Support Packages (ECIS
FSP)
2.1
The purpose of ECIS FSP
The purpose of FSP is to provide short-term assistance to build the capacity of
families to respond to the child’s additional needs by:
 supporting the provision of opportunities that address the current learning,
development and wellbeing needs of the child or;
 reducing physical and psychosocial risks to the child, family and others or;
 assisting with a child’s functionality and mobility to promote independence
and greater participation in family and community life.
FSP supports are needs based and respond to a current risk to learning,
development, wellbeing, safety or independence.
2.2
What is ECIS FSP?
ECIS FSP is one component of a multi-layered, holistic service response. The
program responds to identified unmet needs that are currently affecting the family’s
capacity to support the child’s learning, development and wellbeing. It is designed to
support the implementation of a child’s Family Service and Support Plan (FSSP),
developed as part of their State funded Early Childhood Intervention Service delivery.
This plan is known as the Intake Plan prior to commencing ECIS.
The Victorian Government funds a range of services and supports for children who
have a disability or developmental delay prior to school entry, that are additional and
complementary to the range of services available through the universal service
delivery system.
The overall aim of ECIS is to optimise the child’s learning, development and wellbeing
by working with parents and carers in children’s everyday environments. This enables
them to gain the knowledge, confidence and skills to support the child’s wellbeing,
ongoing learning, development and meaningful participation in family and community
life.
The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and Principles for
Health and Wellbeing identify practice principles for all early childhood professionals
working with Victorian children and their families. The practice principles are the
foundation for professional practice and guide and inform service provision. The
practice principles reflect the latest international evidence. More information is
available at Appendix A.
8
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
2.3
Objectives of ECIS FSP
The objectives of ECIS FSP are:
 respond to the current unmet needs of children with a disability or
developmental delay identified in their FSSP
to assist in the provision of timely and targeted support to children and their

families as documented in their FSSP
 to provide short-term support while families build capacity to access the
knowledge, skills and supports required to respond to the ongoing learning,
development and wellbeing needs of their children
 to provide a financial contribution towards the provision of additional and
individualised support to children with high and complex needs when
assistance is not available through other avenues.
These additional and complementary supports must meet the five ECIS FSP criteria
outlined in Section 3.
Some frequently asked questions and answers about ECIS FSP are available at
Appendix B.
Overview of Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages (ECIS FSP)
9
3.
Who is eligible to apply for ECIS FSP?
Every application for FSP is assessed against the following criteria. Applications
must meet all five criteria listed in this section.
Criterion 1: The child has been approved for State funded
ECIS
Families have applied for and are receiving or waiting to receive a place with a
State funded ECIS provider.
An application for FSP does not require families to repeat the information provided in
support of their application for ECIS. Rather, the FSP application seeks evidence of
significant unmet needs that limit the family’s capacity to support the child’s
learning, development and wellbeing.
FSP allocation is needs based. Not all families that have met eligibility requirements for
State funded ECIS will be deemed eligible for FSP; they must also meet all other FSP
criteria.
AND
Criterion 2: Supports are identified in the current Family
Services and Support Plan
The allocated ECIS professional from the child’s ECIS provider 1, has linked the
requested supports to the FSSP, or Intake Plan 2.
The FSSP is the key document used by the child’s family and ECIS to identify needs, and
guides the service delivery for each child and family. Development of the FSSP
commences at intake and its focus is to:
∙ assist families to maximise the use of available resources
∙ ensure the family has access to the immediate information they require
∙ increase their capacity through linkages and connections with universal
and targeted supports.
When the child is receiving ECIS, the ECIS professional will work collaboratively with the
family to develop and regularly review the FSSP.
If the child or family’s circumstances result in the need for an application to FSP, the ECIS
professional will work in partnership with the family to facilitate an application.
This ensures that requested FSP funded supports are:




informed by and linked to the current FSSP
designed to support the child’s learning, development and wellbeing
complementary to services or supports already in place
carefully matched to existing family settings and routines.
Applications for FSP that are not linked to the FSSP will be deemed ineligible.
1
ECIS Place Providers may include community service organisations and specialist children’s services. Refer to
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/providers/needs/Pages/ecisregionalservices.aspx.
2 Where a family is waiting for ECIS, the Intake Worker may refer the family to ECIS FSP and assist the family to
submit the application. In this case, the FSSP will be referred to as the Intake Plan.
10
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
AND
Criterion 3: Supports can only be provided through ECIS FSP
funding allocation
The child’s family has maximised the use of other services, supports, networks
or entitlement. These may include but are not limited to:





State funded ECIS
paediatric therapy services
universal services, for example the Maternal and Child Health
Service and kindergartens
family and community networks
other complementary programs, supports or entitlements funded by
the Victorian Government or Commonwealth Government agencies,
except those specified in the Approved Categories for FSP
Purchases in Table 1.
When assessing FSP applications, Regional Assessment Panels (RAP) consider other
services and supports the family has in place or are entitled to receive, and the extent to
which these are likely to meet the identified needs of the child and their family.
Except where specified, FSP funds are not to be used to duplicate funding received
from other State or Commonwealth-funded programs, or for the purchase of therapy
services provided by private providers. The ECIS professional is expected to inform the
family about the services, benefits and entitlements they may be eligible to receive from
other sources. They must ensure that families have maximised the use of their other
available funding options prior to seeking funding through FSP.
AND
Criterion 4: Supports fit an approved category for funding
The requested supports must fit within one or more of the approved ECIS FSP
categories, which respond to:
1. Safety risks (physical and psychological)
2. Independence, mobility and functionality
3. Learning and development
The list of FSP approved categories (refer Table 1) has been developed to provide further
clarification for families, ECIS professionals, RAPs and DEECD staff on the purpose of
supports funded through FSP. The table provides guidance on what may be funded
through FSP, and provides examples of services and supports that are outside the scope
of this program and will not be funded.
Who is eligible to apply for ECIS FSP?
11
AND
Criterion 5: Supports are targeted and time-limited
The requested supports are time limited and capable of being committed within
three months of the application being approved (that is, ordered, service
commenced, place confirmed). Payment must be made within three months of
receiving the invoice.
ECIS FSP does not provide ongoing financial support for families and does not
duplicate supports received through ECIS. Funding is provided as a contribution in
order to respond to additional and significant unmet needs, including circumstances where
existing family supports are withdrawn or in response to unexpected circumstances that
impact the families capacity to meet their child’s needs.
The ECIS professional works with families to link them to appropriate services and
establish longer term, sustainable arrangements that serve to build the families’ capacity to
meet their child’s ongoing needs.
If a child or family’s circumstances change, and the support is no longer required, funds
will be returned to the region’s FSP budget.
Where the initial circumstances reoccur after the funding is returned to the regional budget,
a new application will need to be completed.
12
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
4.
What types of supports are funded through
ECIS FSP?
As noted previously, applications must meet all five of the criteria. One of these is that the
requested support must fit an approved category for funding. This section details the
categories, and their relevant inclusions and exclusions.
ECIS FSP funds may be used to purchase a range of services and supports that respond to
the child and family’s additional needs. The individual circumstances of each child and their
family are different, and so the specific types of supports that are purchased and the amount
of funding provided to each family will vary according to their particular needs.
However, there is a funding limit of $5,500 per child per financial year. Any request beyond
this amount must be approved through an application of exceptional circumstances, refer to
Section 6 for more information.
There are three approved categories of support that can be funded through FSP; refer Table
1 for descriptions of the categories, examples of items and services that are eligible to be
funded through ECIS FSP. This table intends to guide families, ECIS professionals, and FSP
RAP members in their understanding of the approved categories. Table 2 provides examples
of items and services that are beyond the scope of the program and will not be funded.
The application form for ECIS FSP requires applicants to identify in to which of the approved
categories the requested supports fit, to provide information on how the supports align to the
current identified unmet needs of the child and how the supports will address these needs, as
documented in the FSSP.
Any supports requested must be directly linked to the child’s additional needs due to a
disability or developmental delay. All requested supports must be fit for purpose, cost efficient,
effective, and compliant with the relevant Australian standards and regulatory requirements.
Quotations must reflect DEECD’s procurement principles by showing value for money, open
and fair competition, accountability, risk management, probity and transparency.
Please note that the supports listed in Tables 1 and 2 are examples; these do not provide an
exhaustive list of what can and cannot be funded under ECIS FSP. The RAP may determine
that other requested supports may be eligible or ineligible depending on whether they meet
the five eligibility criteria.
What types of supports are funded through ECIS FSP?
13
TABLE 1: Approved categories for ECIS FSP purchases
ECIS FSP Category
Examples of appropriate expenditures
CATEGORY 1:
Safety risk: physical or
psychological
The child is at risk of
harm to self or others. A
short-term intervention is
required to allow the
family time to build
capacity to meet the
child’s ongoing safety
needs.

CATEGORY 2:
Independence, mobility
and functionality
Additional supports
needed to facilitate the
child’s functionality or
mobility to promote
greater participation in
family and community
life.








CATEGORY 3:
Learning and
Development
Short-term support to
assist the child in
participating in learning
and development
opportunities.

Prevention and risk mitigation strategies which are the most reasonable and appropriate
adjustment to prevent a child from experiencing harm. These must not restrain a child by using a
physical barrier or restrict access to an appropriate area for play. These may include:
∙ safety glass due to a child’s repetitive or compulsive, hitting, throwing or head banging
behaviour.
∙ home modifications and safety items not funded (or only partially funded) through the
Victorian Aids and Equipment Program (A&EP)-operated by the Statewide Equipment
Program (SWEP) or other funding programs. (refer Appendix G)
∙ outdoor fencing that is directly linked to the needs of the child and creates a safe space
for children, promoting their learning, development and wellbeing.
Where fencing is requested, funding will only be provided to contribute to a standard style of
fencing. FSP will not fund fencing that is a regulatory requirement (for example, pool fencing).
Respite care in cases where families are ineligible for or unable to access Commonwealth funded
programs or benefits. Child care is not funded for respite under FSP. Appropriate respite care
would include that provided by a disability support service.
Mobility equipment not funded (or only partially funded) through the SWEP aids and equipment
for children or the SWEP Top-up Fund for Children or other government-funded program
Communication aids not funded (or only partially funded) through the A&EP’S Electronic
Communication Devices Scheme (ECDS) operated by Yooralla, Australian Hearing Services or
other government-funded program
∙ computer tablets may be funded where there is no other suitable approach to addressing
the needs of the child – a therapist must recommend programs/applications. The
selected model must meet, but not exceed, the minimum standards for running the
specified program. Tablets will not be funded for recreational purposes.
Modifications to play areas or equipment to support the child’s independence and participation in
play in their everyday family environment.
Contribution towards the cost of providing transport:
∙
to enable the child to participate in learning and development or community based
activities
∙
for a parent or guardian to participate in short-term parenting programs directly related
to the child’s needs
∙
to medical appointments where the appointment cannot be made in the child’s local
community, for example a child who lives in a rural area requires a specialist
appointment in Melbourne.
Transport support (public transport, taxi or petrol vouchers) will only be provided where there is an
additional and unexpected cost to the family, limiting their capacity to provide the necessary
supports to the child with additional needs. For example, car breakdown, where a family does not
use a car or a change in circumstances leading to a need to access services outside the local
community. This support may be up to the value of $500, distance of travel and associated cost
must be demonstrated in the application form.
Contribution to minor modifications to vehicles or purchase of specialised equipment for
vehicles not funded (or only partially funded) through SWEP Vehicle Modification Subsidy
Scheme or other government funded programs.
Continence aids where the child requires support beyond what would reasonably be expected
for a family (beyond the average age of toilet training).
Feeding aids including specialised utensils and thickener, to support the child’s functionality and
participation in everyday family life.
Contributing to the cost of limited term support for participation in community based group
activities that support development, and active participation and engagement in learning.
Activities should be socially inclusive and support the child’s engagement in everyday community
life. These may include:
∙
fees for up to two terms of community based activity groups, including swimming
lessons, music and dance or other activity groups (up to $500)
∙
fees for up to two terms of three-year-old kindergarten, delivered by a qualified
kindergarten teacher (excludes programs eligible for Commonwealth Child Care
Assistance) when there is no other early childhood education and care program
available (up to $1000)
∙
playgroup fees (up to $100).
Important: please note that any goods or services requested through FSP must meet all relevant safety
standards, regulatory requirements and licensing requirements (refer Section 4.1).
14
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
Table 2: Supports and services would not be funded under ECIS FSP
Services or items that are available through other avenues or are not directly
related to the additional needs of the child: examples of inappropriate
expenditures
FSP will not fund:

health care, for example, life support, prescription medication or other medical equipment
(some health care will be eligible for support via other means, for example Medicare)
home renovations or maintenance
home modifications or safety items that are a regulatory requirement, not an additional
requirement that is directly linked to the child’s disability or developmental delay (for example,
standard pool fencing is a regulatory requirement, not solely related to the child’s additional
needs)
payments to cover general living expenses (food, some transport, utilities, rent/rates) or
purchase of white goods(fridges, washing machines); that are not directly linked to the child’s
additional needs as a result of disability or developmental delay
kindergarten fees for which the family is eligible to receive assistance from other Victorian or
Commonwealth Government funded programs or entitlements, including four-year-old
kindergarten fees
professional therapy services, for example speech therapy
child care fees for regulated and non-regulated child care
transition supports including transition to school or disability services
ongoing (not time limited) transport related costs: including, vehicle purchase, rental,
repairs, servicing or driving lessons as all families should expect these costs – transport
support is available where families need to access services for their child and have no
transport, minor modifications may also receive a funding contribution
family holidays
additional assistants for participation in kindergarten
sporting, leisure or other goods or equipment purchased for other family members, for
example, golf clubs
diagnostic assessments are not required for ECIS and therefore not eligible for FSP funding
restrictive interventions
any equipment that does not meet safety standards or are not recommended for use at the
age of the child
trampolines, irrespective of size, will not be funded, as they are not recommended for use of
children under the age of six.















Additional to supports that are available through other avenues, not directly related to the needs
of the child, or do not fit the approved categories; FSP funding cannot:




supplement State funded ECIS provider therapy services, other professional services
or private therapy services
fund services or supports that have not been identified in the FSSP
 This is to ensure that services and supports are planned and integrated into
existing family routines and settings, and complement ECIS and other services
already in place.
retrospectively cover the cost of goods or services that have already been
purchased for the child or family
fund services, supports or entitlements that the child’s family is eligible to receive
through other programs administered by State or Commonwealth agencies; with
the exception of the State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP) and Electronic
Communication Devices Scheme (ECDS) where all other avenues for funding have
been explored/exhausted/used.
What types of supports are funded through ECIS FSP?
15
4.1
Safety standards and regulations
All goods and services that are requested and funded through FSP must meet all relevant
safety standards and regulations. When it is unclear if compliance requirements have been
meet applicants should contact the relevant provider, retailer or manufacturer to confirm
compliance with the relevant standards or regulations.
4.1.1
Standards for products
There are mandatory safety standards applied to products that are likely to be
especially hazardous and in these instances. It is an offence to sell products that are
not compliant with mandatory standards.
The Product Safety Australia website provides information on safety standards for a
detailed list of products, including which products have mandatory standards (for
example, baby walkers, bicycles and child car restraints) or are banned (for example,
toys containing beads). The website includes a section for parents and guardians that
details the safety issues for children. Refer to www.productsafety.gov.au to ensure
that the product requested under FSP meets the relevant standards.
The Product Safety Recalls Australia website is linked to the Product Safety Australia
website and provides specific details of products that have been recalled due to safety
risk. Refer to www.recalls.gov.au for specific and up to date information when
requesting an item for funding through FSP.
The Australian Consumer Law website provides information on the responsibility of
retailers, manufacturers and importers to ensure that their products comply with safety
laws, for more information refer to www.consumerlaw.gov.au.
4.1.2
Standards for services
Where a service has been requested, it must comply with the relevant quality
standards applicable to the specified service.
For example, early childhood education and care must meet the standards outlined in
the National Quality Framework (refer to www.acecqa.gov.au/national-qualityframework) and disability services must meet the National Standards for Disability
Services (refer to www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/standardsand-quality-assurance/new-national-standards-for-disability-services).
4.1.3
Planning permits and licensing of tradespeople
There are different regulations across the state in regards to planning permits when
making structural changes to properties (for example, fencing). Families and ECIS
professionals should also contact their local council for the requirements in their local
area. The Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure webpage
provides some general information about permits; refer to
www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planningapplications,
Where installation or building is required, a person with the appropriate license must
be used. More information on the licensing requirements in Victoria and ensuring the
selected tradesperson is appropriately qualified refer to:
16

www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing-and-accommodation/building-andrenovating/plan-and-manage-your-building-project/about-builderstradespeople-and-other-building-practitioners for building and other trades

www.esv.vic.gov.au/For-Consumers/Choosing-and-using-a-tradesperson for
electrical and plumbing trades.
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
4.2
Other services and supports for families
Appendix C provides a full list of other support programs and services, including short
program descriptions, web links and contact details. The Infoxchange Service Seeker
webpage may also be a useful resource for finding local services that support children with
a disability or developmental delay. The Service Seeker is available at
http://www.serviceseeker.com.au.
The State Government Department of Human Services website provides a service
directory and is available at http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/disability.
Another service that may be useful is the Community Referral Directory Provide, which
provides information on a range of health, welfare and community support services
available in metropolitan Melbourne and major regional areas. Please note that this service
does have a cost attached, for more information refer to www.datascape.com.au.
Table 3: Example alternative support programs
Commonwealth Programs
Victorian Government Programs

Child Care Rebate

ECIS

Child Care Benefit

Kindergarten Fee Subsidy (4 year old)

Special Child Care Benefit


Carer Allowance
Early Start Kindergarten (3 year old) and
Early Start Kindergarten extension grant

Carer Payment

Statewide Equipment Program (SWEP)

Carer Supplement

Statewide Equipment Program Top Up

Child Disability Assistance Payment


Family Tax Benefit (Part A, Part B)
Electronic Communication Devices
Scheme (ECDS)

Rent Assistance

Commonwealth Respite and Carelink

Respite support for carers of young
people with severe or profound disability

My Time

Better Start for Children with a disability

Medicare Items

Aids and Equipment Program

Helping Children with Autism

Hearing Australia Services

Home and Community Care
The Victorian Aids and Equipment Program provides subsidised aids to eligible
Victorians, The SWEP administers the majority of sub programs under the A&EP
including the Top Up Fund for Children. Maximum subsidies are provided for available
items.
The subsidy amounts are available on the SWEP website http://swep.bhs.org.au/aidsand-equipment. Information regarding the Electronic Communication Devices Scheme
can be found at the Yooralla website: www.yooralla.com.au/services/assistivetechnology-and-equipment/electronic-communication-devices-scheme.
Where the subsidy does not fully cover the cost for equipment required by a child with
high and complex needs, due to the highly individualised nature of the equipment, ECIS
FSP will provide a contribution to the cost. This equipment must be relevant to the
current needs of the child. (Refer Appendix G)
What types of supports are funded through ECIS FSP?
17
5.
Applying for ECIS FSP
The key steps in the application and assessment process for FSP are outlined below.
1.
Ensure that the child’s Family Services and Support Plan is current.
2. Complete and submit the application
The family and ECIS professional work collaboratively to complete and submit the ECIS
FSP application form.
3. Application is received
The FSP Coordinator posts or emails an acknowledgement letter to the family and ECIS
professional. This will occur within two weeks from the date the application was
received.
4.
Application is assessed
The RAP assesses the application; meetings are held at least ten times per year.
5.
The outcome
FSP Coordinator will send a letter or email to the child’s family and ECIS professional
advising the outcome of their application: approved, not approved or requiring more
information. This will occur within five business days of final endorsement.
If successful, the FSP
Coordinator will call the
primary contact nominated in
the application form to
negotiate the procurement
and payment processes.
6.
If the application requires
further information, the
family and ECIS professional
will send any required
information to the FSP
Coordinator. The RAP will
then assess the application.
If unsuccessful and
dissatisfied with the
reasons for the decision,
the family and ECIS
professional may decide
to request an appeal.
Implementing the approved supports
The supports will be implemented according to the purchasing arrangements agreed to by the
FSP Coordinator and the nominated primary contact.
FSP agency is responsible for ensuring that supports are committed within three months of
approval. Payment must be made within three months of receiving the invoice .
Please note: if a child is transitioning to school in the next year, applications for FSP must be
submitted by September 30 of the year prior to commencing school. The application must be able
to be assessed and the approved funds expended prior to school entry when the child will no
longer be an ECIS client. This means that services for these children that are requested in
September must be able to be invoiced and paid for within approximately three months (depending
on date of school term).
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Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
5.1
Initiating an ECIS FSP application
In response to the needs of the child, the child’s family in consultation with their allocated
ECIS professional may identify the need to apply for FSP. An application for FSP can be
submitted at any time after the child has been deemed eligible for State funded ECIS.
Applications for FSP must demonstrate that this need for the additional requested
support is linked to the FSSP. The FSSP is developed and reviewed throughout the
child’s involvement with ECIS.
This requirement ensures that the decision to apply for FSP is the result of a collaborative
planning discussion between the family and their ECIS professional. Development of the
FSSP is followed by a consideration of the family’s current situation, other supports to
which the child and their family may be entitled, and agreement on the specific supports
that are most likely to achieve the desired outcomes for the child and family as outlined in
their FSSP.
5.2
Completing an application for ECIS FSP
It is the role of the ECIS professional to ensure that the family is aware of how
information provided in the application form and other documents will be used and
stored. More information on privacy is available in the application form and at
Appendix D.
Step 1 – Obtain the current Family Services and Support Plan
ECIS professionals work in partnership with each family to develop a FSSP that
documents and guides the service delivery for each child. The FSSP reflects the
importance of the collaborative planning process and family centred practices that
underpin the family’s contact with ECIS.
The focus of the FSSP is to assist families to identify and respond to a child’s
individual learning, development and wellbeing needs and maximise their participation
in family and community life. This will include supporting the family to acquire the
confidence, skills, knowledge and resources to respond to the identified needs of the
child, and may be achieved through linkages and connections to universal, targeted,
other community services or FSP.
The FSSP is the foundation document that informs and supports an FSP application.
Applying for ECIS FSP
19
Step 2 – Fill in the ECIS FSP application form
This form builds upon the information already supplied by the child’s family through
their application for ECIS and does not require that the family duplicate information
already supplied.






Checklist. This needs to be completed before submitting the application
form to the FSP Coordinator.
Privacy information statement. This section advises families and ECIS
professionals of how the information provided in the application will be used.
Section 1 – Details of the child, parent or guardian, and ECIS
professional. This section requests general information about the child and
their family, including address, contact details and cultural background. It
also requests the name and contact details of the assigned ECIS
professional.
Section 2 – ECIS FSP application details. This section requests specific
information about the current needs of the child and their family, the supports
currently in place, and the supports required to assist them through this
period of need. It also includes questions about other funding avenues that
the family has explored, and the proposed expenditure plan that is discussed
below.
Section 3 – Declarations and consent. This section includes declarations
that the information included in the form is true and correct, and consent to
use the information for the specified purposes. Parents/guardians, ECIS
professionals and ECIS managers must sign this section.
Section 4 – Family Services Support Plan. This section prompts the
attachment of the FSSP.
The FSP application form is available on the DEECD website at
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/parents/needs/pages/flexiblesupportpacka
ges.aspx or from the ECIS professional.
Once completed, the child’s parents or guardians must endorse the application. The
family must also keep a signed copy of the application form.
The completed and signed FSP application form needs to be submitted to the ECIS
FSP agency that covers the local government area where the child lives. The ECIS
FSP Coordinator is a role within these agencies.
For the contact details ECIS FSP agency in each region, refer Appendix E.
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Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
Step 3 – Develop a Proposed Expenditure Plan
This plan sits within Section 2 of the ECIS FSP application form and contains:

the goods or services that have been requested to meet the child’s identified
additional needs

the nominated service provider of these goods or services based on
quotations3

at least one verbal or written quotation for all services and supports under
$2,500 or two or more quotations for all services and supports over $2,500; if
the request is for highly specialised equipment and only one appropriate
supplier is available one quotation may be supplied

the proposed duration of any service requested, if applicable

the anticipated cost of the service/support or the amount of funds sought to
contribute to the total costs of the service/support (including delivery fees and
cost of installation by suitably qualified persons where applicable) for each
child and family

the nominated primary contact person who has been identified to support the
acquisition of the requested services or supports.
When selecting an item or getting a quote for a service, families and ECIS
professionals should be aware that all nominated providers, and associated products
and services must meet the relevant Australian standards and regulatory
requirements, including relevant licensing requirements where installation is required.
All quotations must reflect DEECD’s procurement principles by showing value for
money, open and fair competition, accountability, risk management, probity and
transparency.
Retrospective applications for FSP funds to cover the cost of goods or services that
have already been purchased will be ineligible.
In addition to information listed and requested in the application form, applicants
should attach any additional documentation they have in support of the requested
supports for the child. This may include documentation from early childhood or health
professionals prescribing or recommending supports for the child.
3
FSP Coordinators may offer alternative suppliers to the family due to best value and supplier arrangements they
may have in place.
Applying for ECIS FSP
21
Step 4 – Submit the application form
Once the FSP application form is complete, and endorsed by the parent(s) or
guardian(s), the ECIS professional and their manager, the application is posted or
emailed to the FSP agency. All FSP agencies must have a dedicated secure email
address for email submissions; applications must not be sent to an individual’s email
address.
Applicants should complete the checklist on the front of the FSP application form to
ensure all questions have been answered and all required documentation is attached,
including the current FSSP and Proposed Expenditure Plan.
For the contact details of FSP agency in each region, refer Appendix E.
Families and ECIS professionals are reminded that FSP provides a contribution only
towards the purchase of additional supports for children. As listed above, FSP is only
one of many supports available, including State Government and Commonwealth
funded programs that provide supports to families.
22
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
6.
Exceptional circumstances
6.1
What are exceptional circumstances?
In some cases, a child may require support above the annual funding limits of FSP. Due to
this need, the child’s family in consultation with their allocated ECIS professional may
consider that their situation warrants an application under ‘exceptional circumstances’
provisions. Exceptional circumstances do not include emergencies. In an emergency,
families should seek access to crisis support provided by other State and Commonwealth
agencies.
The RAP may consider an application for exceptional circumstances where:


6.2
a child has received the maximum annual funding limit and is experiencing a
newly identified need that cannot be addressed by other means or via an
alternative approach
the amount being requested in the initial application is above the annual limit of
$5,500 to address a current need where there is no alternative funding source to
address this need and it meets the FSP requirements.
Application process for exceptional circumstances
The steps to apply for consideration under exceptional circumstances are below.
Step 1 –The manager of the ECIS professional (key worker) who is facilitating the
application emails the Manager Access, Participation and Performance in their
DEECD region and briefly outlines the grounds for the proposed application.
Step 2 - The Manager Access, Participation and Performance will then assess the
proposal in consultation with the responsible PAPA prior to making an evidencebased decision on whether the application should proceed.
Step 3 - The PAPA will advise the manager of the ECIS professional if they may proceed
with making an exceptional circumstances application.
See Appendix F for a list of DEECD regional contacts
Exceptional circumstances
23
7.
Assessment of my application
7.1 Receipt of applications and confirmation of
completeness
In the first instance, FSP applications are submitted to the FSP Coordinator, a letter or
email of receipt will be sent to the child’s family and the ECIS professional. The FSP
Coordinator will check the application to ensure there is sufficient information for the RAP
to reach a decision on whether to approve funding through FSP.
If the FSP Coordinator determines that there is insufficient information provided or that the
application is ineligible, they will send a letter or email to the family and ECIS detailing their
decision. If the application requires more information to be progressed to the RAP, the
letter or email will detail what is required.
7.2
Assessment by the Regional Assessment Panel
The RAP is a panel that convenes at least ten times per year to assess FSP applications.
These RAPs comprise the following:




ECIS FSP Coordinator (RAP convenor)
DEECD Regional PAPA or nominee
Specialist Children’s Services or Intake Team Leader or nominee
two experienced ECIS professionals from community service organisations
funded to deliver ECIS places in regions
The RAP assesses each application against the ECIS FSP Selection Criteria based
on the information supplied. The selection criteria are outlined in Section 3 of this
document.
Once assessed, the FSP Coordinator sends a letter or email advising the outcome of the
application to the child’s family and ECIS professional. In cases where the application is
not approved, this letter or email will include reasons for the decision or the information
required. If the RAP has requested further information to be supplied, the letter or email will
detail what is required. In this case, the ECIS professional will work with the family to
supply the requested information and resubmit an application for consideration at an out of
sessions meeting of the RAP.
If successful, the FSP Coordinator will notify the primary contact nominated in the
application form. The nominated person or the family will then arrange the purchase of the
approved items or services, with the invoice directed to the FSP Coordinator for payment
or reimbursement.
24
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
8.
Successful applications
8.1 What is the process for purchasing the approved goods
or services?
The FSP Coordinator is responsible for managing funds to purchase services and supports
on behalf of children and their families. Following the approval of funding, the FSP
Coordinator will contact the nominated primary contact in the application form.
The FSP Coordinator, in consultation with the nominated primary contact will negotiate:
 to make the purchase on behalf of the child’s family
or
 for the nominated primary contact to make the purchase following approval of the
FSP application by the RAP, and receive reimbursement.
FSP Coordinators may also identify alternative suppliers to the family due to best value
and supplier arrangements they may have in place. The FSP Coordinator is responsible for
managing procurement processes to support purchasing of goods or services that meet all
applicable regulations, Australian standards and licencing and registration requirements
and fit for purpose.
The service or support cannot be purchased prior to approval of the FSP, as funding
will not be approved retrospectively.
8.2
Following the purchase of approved goods or services
Parents and guardians need to be aware that they will be required to cover all costs related
to maintenance, repair or replacement of equipment purchased through FSP with the
exception of goods purchased through SWEP. In these instances please refer to SWEP’s
Aids and Equipment Program Guidelines at http://swep.bhs.org.au/aids-and-equipment.
Appendix H also provides information about SWEP and its interaction with FSP.
8.2.1
Closure of the application for ECIS FSP
FSP Coordinators engagement with FSP applicants ceases when the support
purchased through FSP has been received and the family satisfaction survey has
been distributed. The FSP Coordinator must record all case closures on IRIS.
8.2.2
Can a subsequent application be submitted?
Families can submit more than one application in the same financial year. Where a
subsequent application is for the same previously approved supports, applications
must demonstrate a newly emerging need.
Applications will be considered against:
 the goals outlined in the FSSP
 supports already purchased by FSP
 the capacity of the family or other funding programs to meet the needs of the child
 the $5,500 annual funding limit
 the eligibility criteria
 the approved exceptional circumstance requirements (if necessary).
Successful applications
25
9.
Appeals and complaints
ECIS FSP agencies and Regional DEECD officers must ensure that ECIS professionals and
families applying for FSP are informed about how to lodge a complaint and the process that
will be followed in addressing any complaints received, in a format that is clear and
accessible.
Children and families that have applied for or are receiving FSP are entitled to have appeals
or complaints investigated objectively, fairly, promptly and without fear of repercussions.
Complaints are an important source of feedback on program and service delivery practices
and should be used to review or improve practices.
Families are encouraged to liaise with their ECIS professional prior to lodging an appeal or
complaint; however, a family can lodge an appeal or complaint directly to their FSP
Coordinator.
9.1
Appealing a decision
Applicants may request an appeal of decisions regarding eligibility or level of support
provided. An appeal will only be conducted because of new or additional relevant
information, which may not have been available at the time of application, or if
circumstances have changed.
Step 1 - All requests for appeals are to be in writing to the FSP Coordinator, and must
refer to the date of the original application and be accompanied by relevant new or
additional information and signed by the parent or guardian and ECIS
professional. This must be done within four weeks of the family and ECIS
professional being notified that the application was unsuccessful.
Step 2 - The FSP Coordinator will send out a letter or email within 5 working days to the
ECIS professional and the child’s family confirming that an appeal has been
lodged; receipt of the additional information and the date the appeal will be heard.
Step 3 - The FSP Coordinator will then present the appeal at the next RAP meeting.
Appeal requests will only be upheld if the RAP determines that new or additional
relevant information has been provided.
(Where the RAP considers the application again to be ineligible for funding, the
appeal will be progressed to Step 3 of the further appeal process, refer Section
9.2)
Step 4 – The FSP Coordinator will notify the ECIS professional and family of the outcome
of the appeal within 5 days of an appeal being heard by the RAP.
26
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
9.2
Making a further appeal
In circumstances where the appeals process fails to resolve a grievance relating to
eligibility for support or, level or type of support provided, a family can lodge a complaint
through the FSP Coordinator.
Step 1 - Family in consultation with their allocated ECIS professional, lodges a further
appeal to the FSP Coordinator.
Step 2 – The FSP Coordinator send a receipt of acknowledgment of the further appeal to
the family and the ECIS professional.
Step 3 - The FSP Coordinator provides all documentation from the initial appeal, along
with any further information and minutes from the relevant RAP meetings to the
PAPA who will liaise with the Manager Access, Participation and Performance in
that region.
Step 4 - All information relating to the further appeal will be provided to the DEECD
Regional Director for their region or delegate, who in consultation with the DEECD
Central Early Years Inclusion and Intervention Manager, will ensure that the
decision making process is reviewed by a senior DEECD staff member. This
DEECD staff member will be independent of all previous considerations of an
application or appeal.
Step 5 - Once a decision is reached, the PAPA will notify the FSP Coordinator who will in
turn notify the ECIS professional and family within five business days.
9.3
Making a complaint
Where an applicant or family is dissatisfied with any other aspect of the operation of FSP,
they may make a complaint to the funded agency. The agency will then provide the
applicant with a copy of their complaints process. Complaints should be provided in writing
so that the nature and scope of the complaint is clear.
All complaints are to be responded to in accordance with the principles outlined in the
Guide to complaint handling for Victorian Public Sector Agencies issued by Ombudsman
Victoria. The guide is available at www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/getmedia/90b1cdbc-448a4977-b441-e43b3ffb4c1e/Complaint-handling-good-practice-guide-Dec-2012.pdf.aspx.
Appeals and complaints
27
10. Key roles and responsibilities
Various services may be involved in providing support to children and families including
the Maternal and Child Health Service, kindergartens, family support providers, ECIS and
other community services. The following sections explain the roles of the various
professionals involved in the administration of FSP.
10.1 Allocated ECIS professional
When a child is receiving ECIS, they will have an allocated ECIS professional (or
keyworker). The ECIS professional is the primary contact for the child’s family. They will
work with the family to develop and review a FSSP. Where the family is waiting for ECIS,
the ECIS Intake Worker will work with the family to assist them to complete the ECIS FSP
application documents.
The role of the ECIS professional in the delivery of ECIS FSP is outlined below.
The ECIS professional will work in collaboration with the family to:





assist the family to understand FSP guidelines
ensure that they understand how the information they provide in the application
process will be used and stored
facilitate the completion of the FSSP and then the FSP application
assist them to provide any additional information required throughout the
application and assessment process
assist them to request a RAP decision appeal or file a complaint if necessary.
10.2 ECIS Manager
The manager of the allocated ECIS professional is responsible for signing all applications
submitted by their staff, and emailing the Manager Access, Participation and Performance
to seek exceptional circumstance applications (refer Section 6).
10.3 ECIS FSP Coordinators
FSP agencies cover specific local government areas within their region refer to Appendix
E for locality details. The ECIS FSP Coordinator is a role within the FSP agency.
The FSP Coordinator will:




28
receive and review all applications
provide written communication to the family and ECIS professional regarding,
receipt of the FSP application and advising of the outcome of the application
receive and manage appeals and complaints
work collaboratively with the nominated primary contact to coordinate item and
service purchases.
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
11. Appendices
APPENDIX A: Practice Principles
Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework
The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF)
establishes a set of common learning and development outcomes for all children
and early childhood professionals to work towards. It provides a common
language and principles for all early childhood professionals and supports
professional collaboration. The VEYLDF informs all State funded early childhood
education and care services, including Early Childhood Intervention Services
(ECIS).
The VEYLDF Practice Principles for Learning and Development are the
foundations for professional practice for early childhood professionals working
with Victorian children and their families. These inter-related principles describe
the types of practices that should underpin the way service providers construct
and conduct ECIS.
The VEYLDF Practice Principles are:








family-centred practice
partnerships with professionals
high expectations for every child
equity and diversity
respectful relationships and responsive engagement
integrated teaching and learning approaches
assessment for learning and development
reflective practice.
Services and supports funded under the ECIS Flexible Support Packages are
informed by a contemporary evidence base which highlights the following:




As children’s learning and development is shaped by the
environments in which they live, a major feature of ECIS is working
with an through those that are major providers of these
environments – families, early childhood education and care, other
community based child and family settings – to support provision of
experiences and opportunities that children require to develop and
learn.
The nature and quality of key relationships are critical to the way all
children learn. Particularly attunement, engagement and
responsiveness, apply to all children.
Family-centred practice recognises and builds on family strengths,
increases confidence and assists families to make informed choices.
It builds capacity of families to respond to the learning and
development of their children.
Delivery of services in everyday family environments to build
capacity of families to provide naturally occurring learning and
development opportunities.

Responsiveness to diversity of families, including vulnerable
families, families who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander background, and those from culturally and
linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Appendices
29


Collaboration to support effective and timely provision of
information, and support and resources.
Maximising the use of universal services and other targeted
services to support an integrated service system.
The Principles for Health and Wellbeing
The Principles for Health and Wellbeing, like the VEYLDF, provide a
shared language and base for all of DEECD’s services to collaborate and
improve outcomes for children, but also young people and adult learners.
The principles are as follows:








Maximise access and inclusion
Focus on outcomes
Evidence-informed and reflective practice
Holistic practice
Person-centred and family sensitive practice
Partnerships with families and communities
Cultural competence
Commitment to excellence
The Victorian Child and Adolescent Outcomes Framework identifies the
outcomes that the Principles for Health and Wellbeing aim to contribute to
in the long-term. These focus on the child’s wellbeing at the centre
surrounded by confident and capable families, strong and supportive
communities, and an enabling society. The outcomes within this
framework that are priorities for DEECD include:





optimal physical health, for example physical activity
optimal social, emotional wellbeing, for example mental
health and wellbeing
safety and material wellbeing, for example providing a safe
learning environment
supportive relationships, for example positive family
functioning
learning and skills, for example optimal language and
cognitive development.
The Principles for Health and Wellbeing also provide a continuum of
intervention that ranges from primary prevention through to early
identification and intervention, and complex intervention and restoring
wellbeing. ECIS Flexible Support Packages assist children that require
supports spanning early and complex interventions.
30
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
APPENDIX B: Frequently Asked Questions
When can applications be submitted for ECIS FSP?
The need for FSP funding may be identified at any time following the development of the
FSSP or Intake Plan, so an application may be submitted while families are at ECIS Intake
or when they are receiving ECIS from a State funded ECIS provider. Regional Assessment
Panels meet regularly throughout the year, and will consider applications in order of date
of receipt and will prioritise exceptional circumstance applications accordingly.
If a child is transitioning to school in the next year, applications for FSP must be submitted
by September 30 of the year prior to commencing school. This allows time for the
application to be assessed and approved funding fully expended prior to school entry
when the child will no longer be an ECIS client.
How many applications can be submitted per child?
There is no limit to the number of applications that may be submitted for funding under
FSP. However, there is a limit to the total amount of funding that may be allocated to each
child and family that meets FSP eligibility requirements in any one financial year; this is
currently $5,500 per child. FSP is intended to be a contribution to meet short-term unmet
needs and is not available to finance ongoing services or supports.
If there is more than one child with a disability or developmental delay in a
family, do they submit separate applications for ECIS FSP?
In some cases, multiple children in one family are receiving or waiting to receive State
funded ECIS, and additional supports may be required for all eligible children. Where this
occurs, the needs of each child need to be documented in their own FSSP. If the support
is relevant to both children and there are clear links, a joint application for FSP funding can
be made.
Each eligible child’s needs will be considered independently of any applications submitted
for siblings for other supports, but will take account of the overall impact on the families
capacity to meet the needs of all children with disability or developmental delay in their
care.
What are the annual funding limits?
The amount of funding allocated under FSP varies for each child, and from year to year,
there is variation in both the levels of demand for FSP, the type of supports requested and
their cost.
As a needs-based funding program, families of children with a disability or developmental
delay can apply for FSP at any time. However, in order to ensure as many eligible children
as possible have access to FSP support, families may only receive up to a total of $5,500
per child per financial year for the purchase of services and supports. Families may lodge
one or several applications for FSP throughout the year; however, the cumulative total of
funds that may be paid per child is $5,500. Funds allocated to a child following approval of
an application for ECIS FSP must be committed within three months of approval.
Payments must be made within three months of receiving an invoice.
What is considered a current Family Services and Support Plan (FSSP)?
The FSSP is recognised as a document that is regularly reviewed and updated in
response to the changing needs of the child and family. A current plan should identify the
unmet needs that informs and links to the FSP application.
Appendices
31
APPENDIX C: Support programs and services
Service directories
Program
Community
Referral
Directory
Details
The Community Referral Directory provides
information on a range of health, welfare and
community support services available in
metropolitan Melbourne and major regional areas.
Contact
www.datascape.com.au
Infoxchange
Service Seeker
State
Government
Department of
Human
Services
Service
Directory
The Infoxchange Service Seeker is an Australiawide directory of community support services.
The Department of Human Services website
provides a range of information for people with a
disability, including financial assistance,
accommodation options, community involvement
and other supports and services. The service
directory provides a list of services type of service
or your postcode as search options.
http://www.serviceseeker.com.au
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/forindividuals/disability
General supports
Program
Better Start for
Children with
Disability
Details
The Better Start for Children with Disability
initiative provides funding for early intervention
services for children with nominated disabilities.
Carer Allowance
The Carer Allowance is a supplementary
payment for carers who provide additional daily
care and attention for someone with a disability or
medical condition, or who is frail aged.
Carer Payment
The Carer Payment is an income support
payment for people who personally provide
constant care in the home of someone with a
severe disability, illness, or who is frail aged.
Carer
Supplement
The Carer Supplement is an annual lump-sum
payment to assist carers with the costs of caring
for a person with a disability or medical condition.
Child Care
benefit
The Child Care Benefit helps with child care costs
including at outside school-hours care, family day
care, vacation care, long day care, in-home care,
and some occasional-care services.
Child Care
rebate
The Child Care Rebate covers 50% of out of
pocket child care expenses. There is a maximum
amount per child per year. This benefit is in
addition to any amount you may receive from
Child Care Benefit or Jobs, Education and
Training Child Care Fee Assistance.
Child Disability
Assistance
Payment
The Child Disability Assistance Payment is an
annual payment to assist parents with the costs of
caring for a child with a disability.
32
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
Contact
Better Start
Phone: 1800 242 636
Website:
http://www.betterstart.net.au/
Centrelink
Phone: 132 717
Website:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au
/customer/services/centrelink/care
r-allowance
Centrelink
Phone: 132 717
Website:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au
/customer/services/centrelink/care
r-payment
Centrelink
Phone: 132 717
Website:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au
/customer/services/centrelink/care
r-supplement
Centrelink
Phone: 136 150
Website:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au
/customer/services/centrelink/chil
d-care-benefit
Centrelink
Phone: 136 150
Website:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au
/customer/services/centrelink/chil
d-care-rebate
Centrelink
Phone: 132 717
Website:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au
/customer/services/centrelink/chil
d-disability-assistance-payment
Family Tax
Benefit (Part A,
Part B)
Family Tax Benefit Part A is paid for each child in
a family. The amount you get is based on your
family’s individual circumstances.
Health Care
Card
Family Tax Benefit Part B gives extra help to
single parents and families with one main income.
This payment is income tested.
A Health Care Card provides help with the cost of
prescription medicine under PBS, Australian
government funded medical services, and access
to state, territory and local government
concessions.
Medicare
Medicare provides payments and services that
can help when you, or someone you provide care
for, use health care services or buy medicines.
For example, The Helping Children with Autism
Access to Diagnosis and Treatment Plan.
Parenting
Payment
The Parenting Payment is income support for
parents or guardians to help with the cost of
raising children.
Rent Assistance
Rent Assistance provides financial help to people
who pay rent and receive a Centrelink payment.
Special Child
Care Benefit
The Special Child Care Benefit provides extra
assistance with your child care fees, up to the full
amount of the usual fee charged by the Child
Care Benefit Approved Child Care Service
Provider. This benefit is available for families
experiencing a hardship event that significantly
reduces their ability to pay the child care fees
normally charged, while they adapt to their new
circumstances.
Centrelink
Phone: 136 150
Website:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au
/customer/services/centrelink/fami
ly-tax-benefit-part-a-part-b
Centrelink
Website:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au
/customer/services/centrelink/heal
th-care-card
Medicare
Phone: 132 011
Website:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au
/customer/subjects/medicareservices
Centrelink
Website:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au
/customer/services/centrelink/par
enting-payment
Centrelink
Website:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au
/customer/services/centrelink/rent
-assistance
Centrelink
Phone: 136 150
Website:
http://www.humanservices.gov.au
/customer/forms/fa023
Appendices
33
Supports that respond to a child’s safety
Program
Commonwealth
Respite and
Carelink
centres
My Time
Respite support
for carers of
young people
with severe or
profound
disability
34
Details
Contact
Australian Government
The Australian Government has established a
Department of Health
network of Commonwealth Respite and Carelink
Centres around Australia. Centres provide a link to Phone: 1800 052 222 (business
and information about a wide range of community, hours) or 1800 059 059 (outside
aged care and support services available locally orbusiness hours
Website:
across Australia, including services for older
people, people with a disability, and those who
https://www.health.gov.au/internet
provide care and services. Centres can also assist /main/publishing.nsf/Content/agei
carers with options to take a break through shortng-carers-respcent.htm
term and emergency respite services, based on
assessed need, and provide advice on and
coordinate access to respite services in a carer’s
local area.
My Time
My Time groups provide facilitated peer support
Phone: 1800 889 997
for mums, dads, grandparents and anyone caring
Website:
for children with a disability, developmental delay
or chronic medical condition.
http://www.mytime.net.au/
Australian Government
This program:
Department of Social Services
 provides immediate and short-term
Phone: Commonwealth Respite
respite to carers of young people
and Carelink Centre on 1800 052
with severe or profound disability
222
 facilitates access to information, respite
Website:
care and other support or assistance
http://www.dss.gov.au/ourappropriate to the individual needs and
responsibilities/disability-andcircumstances of both carers and care
carers/program-services/respiterecipients
support-for-carers-of-young focuses on carer needs and allows carers people-with-severe-or-profoundto exercise choice and control over their
disability-program
respite care arrangements
 supports carers whose needs are not
being met through existing Australian
Government or state/territory government
initiatives
 expects to alleviate unmet demand for
short-term and unplanned respite care that
currently causes significant stress to
carers.
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
Supports that respond to a child’s independence, mobility and functionality
Program
Details
Contact
Aids and
Equipment
Program
The Victorian Aids and Equipment Program
(A&EP) provides people with a permanent or
long-term disability with subsidised aids,
equipment, home, and vehicle modifications.
The program aims to enhance the
independence of people with a disability in their
home, facilitate their participation in the
community and support families and carers. The
majority of this program is administered through
State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP),
communication devices are available through
the Electronic Communication Devices Scheme
(ECDS), see below for details of these
programs.
Australian Hearing provides government funded
hearing services to children and young adults up
to the age of 26 who are Australian citizens or
permanent residents with permanent or longterm hearing loss.
Victorian Government
Department of Human Services
Phone: 1300 650 172
Website:
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/forindividuals/disability/aids-andequipment
The ECDS is a state-wide service assisting
people who have no speech or speech that is
difficult to understand, to buy speech generating
devices and software.
Yooralla
Phone: 03 9362 6111
Toll free: 1300 885 886
Email: a&ep@yooralla.com.au
Website:
http://www.yooralla.com.au/services
/assistive-technology-andequipment/electroniccommunication-devices-scheme
SWEP
Phone: 1300 747 937 (information
line) or 03 5333 8100 (alternate
phone)
Website: www.swep.bhs.org.au
Australian
Hearing Services
Electronic
Communication
Devices Scheme
The scheme also supports the purchase of
specialised equipment to make it physically
easier to use speech-generating devices.
Statewide
Equipment
Program
The Victorian SWEP provides people with a
permanent or long-term disability with
subsidised aids and equipment to enhance
independence in their home, facilitate
community participation and support families
and carers in their role.
Statewide
Equipment
Program Top Up
Fund for
Children
The Top-up Fund for Children is available for
eligible children less than 18 years of age who
need a manual or powered wheelchair including
initial customisation if needed, pressure
cushions and walking aids. The fund will cover
the full amount of funding required to meet the
difference between the maximum aids and
equipment subsidy and the total cost of eligible
items.
Australian Hearing
Phone: 131 797
Website:
http://www.hearing.com.au
SWEP
Phone: 1300 747 937 (information
line) or 03 5333 8100 (alternate
phone)
Website:
http://swep.bhs.org.au/top-up-fundfor-children
Appendices
35
Supports that respond to a child’s learning and development
Program
Early Start
Kindergarten
and
Early Start
Kindergarten
extension grant
Details
Early Start Kindergarten provides free or
low cost kindergarten to eligible threeyear-old children where a qualified teacher
offers programs. Some services will be
able to offer your child a place in a
program for four year olds or a mixed age
group.
The extension grant enables a child to
attend a funded kindergarten program free
of charge or at minimal cost in the year
before school if the child has previously
accessed an Early Start Kindergarten
grant in the year two years before school
and is ineligible for the kindergarten fee
subsidy.
Contact
Victorian Government Department of
Education and Early Childhood Development
Phone:
North East
Victoria
South East Victoria
Benalla
03 8765 5600
03 8392 9500
Glen Waverley
Dandenong
Moe
03 5127 0400
03 8392 9300
South West Victoria
North West
Victoria
Ballarat
Bendigo
03 5440 3111
Coburg
03 9488 9488
03 5337 8444
Geelong
03 5225 1000
Footscray
03 9291 6500
Website:
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/pare
nts/kindergarten/Pages/earlystart.aspx
Helping Children
with Autism
The Helping Children with Autism (HCWA)
package is an Australian Government
initiative providing support for children
aged 0 – 6 years with an Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD), their families and carers.
The package includes:





Kindergarten
Fee Subsidy
Autism Advisors
Funding for Early Intervention services
PlayConnect Playgroups
Early Days family workshops
An ASD website
The kindergarten fee subsidy allows
children to access up to 15 hours of
kindergarten delivered by a qualified early
childhood teacher in the year before
school for free or at low cost.
Australian Government Department of Social
Services, Department of Health and Ageing,
and Department of Education, Employment
and Workplace Relations
Phone: 1800 778 581 (information)
To contact an Autism Advisor in Victoria:
1300 424 499 or (03) 9657 1608
Website: http://www.dss.gov.au/ourresponsibilities/disability-and-carers/programservices/for-people-with-disability/helpingchildren-with-autism
Victorian Government Department of
Education and Early Childhood Development
Phone:
See contacts listed under Early Start
Kindergarten
Website:
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/pare
nts/kindergarten/pages/fees.aspx
Second year of
funded
kindergarten
36
A second year of funded kindergarten is
available for children experiencing a delay
in development. Funding will only be
considered where kindergarten will be the
most appropriate environment to address
the child’s delays in development, that is,
the child will achieve better outcomes at
kindergarten than if they go to school.
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
Victorian Government Department of
Education and Early Childhood Development
Phone:
See contacts listed under Early Start
Kindergarten
Website:
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/provi
ders/funding/pages/kinderdatacollection.aspx
APPENDIX D: Privacy information for families
DEECD values the privacy of every individual and is committed to protecting all personal
and health information collected. In Victoria, the laws that regulate privacy are the
Information Privacy Act 2000 and the Health Records Act 2001. These laws regulate how
we collect, use, disclose, manage and destroy personal information and health information.
Personal information is “information or an opinion, whether true or not, and whether
recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can
reasonably be ascertained from the information or opinion.”
Health information includes information or an opinion about the following:




the physical, mental or psychological health of an individual
the disability of an individual
an individual’s expressed wishes about the provision of services to him or her
personal information that is collected to provide, or in providing, a health service.
What sort of information will be collected?
Examples of personal and health information that ECIS FSP Regional Assessment Panel
may collect include:







child’s name and address
name, address and contact details of the parent, guardian or carer of the child
medical information
child’s physical, mental or psychological health information
details of the child’s disability or developmental delay
health services that have been provided, or are to be provided to the child
accuracy of personal and health information.
What will the information be used for?
A child and family’s information is collected for:


use in assessing whether the child is eligible for ECIS FSP and to plan for service
delivery by the ECIS FSP agency
for ECIS FSP agencies’ and DEECD’s research and statistical purposes (in this
case identifying information will be removed).
Who will have access to the information?
Everyone who needs to see the application and associated documents will have access to
the information contained. ECIS FSP applications may be viewed by:



ECIS FSP Coordinators
DEECD Regional and Central Officers
members of the Regional Assessment Panel.
The information collected about the child and family will be stored securely in line with the
Information Privacy Act 2000 and the Health Records Act 2001. Only authorised personnel
will have access to the information.
For more information about the Information Privacy Act 2000 refer to
https://www.privacy.vic.gov.au/domino/privacyvic/web2.nsf/pages/information-privacy-act.
For more information about the Health Records Act 2001 refer to
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/healthrecords/ .
Appendices
37
APPENDIX E: ECIS FSP agency details
38
DEECD
Region
Local Government Area
where the child lives
ECIS FSP agency
North Eastern
Alpine, Benalla, Greater
Shepparton, Indigo, Mansfield,
Mitchell, Moira, Murrindindi,
Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta,
Wodonga
Community Interlink
121-135 Corio Street, Shepparton VIC 3632
(P.O. Box 1270, Shepparton VIC 3632)
Phone: 1800 222 582
Website: www.gvhealth.org.au
North Eastern
Boroondara, Knox, Manningham,
Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse,
Yarra Ranges
Eastern Specialist Services, Scope
7 Allen Street, Glen Waverley VIC 3150
(P.O. Box 23, Glen Waverley VIC 3150)
Phone: 9902 1041
Website: www.scopevic.org.au
Email: flexiblesupport@scopevic.org.au
North Western
Buloke, Campaspe, Central
Goldfields, Gannawarra, Greater
Bendigo, Loddon, Macedon
Ranges, Mildura, Mount
Alexander, Swan Hill
Noah’s Ark Inc.
10 Merino Court, East Bendigo VIC 3550
Phone: 5434 4500
Website: www.noahsarkinc.org.au
Email: FSP@noahsarkinc.org.au
North Western
Banyule, Darebin, Hume,
Moreland, Nillumbik, Whittlesea,
Yarra
Baptcare Family Services
25 Norwood Crescent
Moonee Ponds VIC 3039
Phone: 9373 3800
Website: www.baptcare.org.au
South Eastern
Bass Coast, Baw Baw, East
Gippsland, Latrobe, South
Gippsland, Wellington
Gippsland Lakes Community Health
281-283 Main Street , Bairnsdale VIC 3875
Phone: 5152 0052
Website: www.glch.org.au
South Eastern
Bayside, Cardinia, Casey,
Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater
Dandenong, Kingston, Mornington
Peninsula, Port Phillip,
Stonnington
Yooralla – ECIS FSP
93 Sladen Street, Cranbourne VIC 3977
Phone: 5990 9600
Website: www.yooralla.com.au
Email: flexiblesupport.ecis@yooralla.com.au
South Western
Brimbank, Hobsons Bay,
Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Melton,
Moonee Valley, Wyndham
Baptcare Family Services
25 Norwood Crescent
Moonee Ponds VIC 3039
Phone: 9373 3800
Website: www.baptcare.org.au
South Western
Southern Grampians,
Warrnambool, Corangamite,
Glenelg, Moyne
MPOWER
71 Koroit Street, Warrnambool VIC 3280
Phone: 5561 8111
Website: www.mpower.org.au
South Western
Ararat, Ballarat, Golden Plains,
Hepburn, Hindmarsh, Horsham,
Moorabool, Northern Grampians,
Pyrenees, West Wimmera,
Yarriambiack
Pinarc Disability Support
1828 Sturt Street, Alfredton VIC 3350
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
(PO Box 1841, Bakery Hill Business Centre VIC
3354)
Telephone: 5329 1300 or 5329 1318
Website: www.pinarc.org.au
Email: ecisfsp@pinarc.org.au
APPENDIX F: DEECD Regional Contacts
Region
Local Governement Areas covered
by this region
Contact details
North
Eastern
Victoria
Alpine, Benalla, Greater Shepparton,
Indigo, Mansfield, Mitchell, Moira,
Murrindindi, Strathbogie, Towong,
Wangaratta, Wodonga, Boroondara,
Knox, Manningham, Maroondah,
Monash, Whitehorse, Yarra Ranges.
Manager Access,
Participation and
Performance
Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields,
Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo,
Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mildura,
Mount Alexander, Swan Hill, Banyule,
Darebin, Hume, Moreland, Nillumbik,
Whittlesea, Yarra.
Manager Access,
Participation and
Performance
Bass Coast, Baw Baw, East Gippsland,
Latrobe, South Gippsland, Wellington,
Bayside, Cardinia, Casey, Frankston,
Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong,
Kingston, Mornington Peninsula, Port
Phillip, Stonnington.
Manager Access,
Participation and
Performance
Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong,
Melbourne, Melton, Moonee Valley,
Wyndham, Southern Grampians,
Warrnambool, Corangamite, Glenelg,
Moyne, Ararat, Ballarat, Golden Plains,
Hepburn, Hindmarsh, Horsham,
Moorabool, Northern Grampians,
Pyrenees, West Wimmera,
Yarriambiack.
Manager Access,
Participation and
Performance
North
Western
Victoria
South
Eastern
Victoria
South
Western
Victoria
8392 9304
9488 9488
5127 0430
5337 8422
Please note that City of Greater
Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Borough of
Queenscliffe and Colac Otway Shire
residents are to refer to the National
Disability Insurance Scheme for
support.
Appendices
39
APPENDIX G: ECIS FSP and Statewide
Equipment Program (SWEP)
When using ECIS FSP towards the purchase of aids and equipment
through the State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP), it is the
responsibility of ECIS FSP agencies to ensure that the equipment has
been prescribed by a suitably qualified health professional.
The SWEP provides subsidies for equipment specified within the Aids &
Equipment Program (A&EP) Guidelines in the list of ‘Aids Available’. The
SWEP coordinators are able to provide advice and support to agencies
when considering the purchase of any of the aids or equipment on the list.
Children who are eligible for an ECIS FSP may also be eligible to receive
equipment through the SWEP. Whenever possible, the SWEP is the first
avenue of equipment supply. The A&EP Guidelines provide details about
eligibility, subsidy levels and the application process. In addition to
providing the subsidy, the A&EP will assume the responsibilities outlined
in the A&EP Guidelines. This information can be sourced from the DHS
Aids & Equipment Program Website.
When the purchase of prescribed equipment is recommended within the
FSSP (as a part of the ECIS FSP application), as a priority for a child with
a disability or developmental delay, ECIS FSP funding can be used when:
1. the prescribed equipment is not on the A&EP Aids Available List
2. the subsidy provided through the SWEP does not cover the total
cost of the prescribed equipment.
The responsibilities of the ECIS FSP agency and the SWEP issuing centre
are described below for each of the above situations.
The equipment is not on the A&EP Aids Available List
When an ECIS FSP agency purchases equipment that is not included on
the A&EP Aids Available List, the SWEP will not arrange the purchase or
take on ownership and repair of the equipment. The ECIS FSP agency
will need to inform the family that they will be the owners of the
equipment, and as such, will be responsible for its maintenance, repair
and replacement as required.
The SWEP subsidy does not cover the total cost of the equipment
In this situation, an application will be submitted to the SWEP service
provider as per the standard process. The SWEP will review the
application and advise the child’s parents or guardians and the ECIS FSP
agency:
 if the application has been approved
 the estimated waiting time (if any) until the subsidy funding can
be provided
 details of the gap between the subsidy provided through the
A&EP and the total cost of the item.
The ECIS FSP agency is then responsible for determining if funding will
be made available to cover this gap, advising both the client’s family and
the SWEP service provider of this decision. Where the ECIS FSP agency
funds the gap, the supplier of the equipment will invoice them separately
for their funding contribution. The SWEP retains ownership of reusable
equipment when the SWEP has contributed more than half of the total
ECIS Flexible Support Package Guidelines cost of the item. The SWEP is
40
Early Childhood Intervention Services Flexible Support Packages
then responsible for repairs to the item and will reissue the item should it
no longer be required.
Ownership of the approved equipment
The SWEP or ECDS retains ownership of reusable equipment when they
have contributed more than half of the total cost of the item. The SWEP or
ECDS is then responsible for repairs to the item and will reissue the item
should it no longer be required.
Where ECIS FSP contributes more than half the funding for an item of
equipment, transfer of ownership to the SWEP is strongly encouraged
with a monetary allowance, of 12.65% of the cost of the item to cover
ongoing repair and maintenance costs. Transfer not only allows for
equipment of reusable quality to be returned and eventually reassigned, it
also ensures that all necessary maintenance, repairs and replacement will
be carried out through the SWEP or ECDS. In cases where transfer of
ownership to SWEP or ECDS does not take place, the item becomes the
property of the family/carer upon receipt of the item who will then be
required to cover all costs related to maintenance/repair/replacement of
the item.
Appendices
41