The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to developing a more inclusive education system with more support for students with disability.
Ensuring we have appropriate support for children with disability, from the early years and throughout their education is, and always has been, a priority of this Government.
Tasmania has operated a successful and respected Early Childhood Intervention Service (ECIS) for many years. ECIS plays a vital role in providing a ‘gold star’ level of service to families and young children with disability, including providing vital support to children and their carers in their transition to school.
In 2013, Labor included ECIS in the Heads of Agreement to become a cashed out service under the NDIS- they effectively signed ECIS away. Unlike Labor, we have listened to concerns from families about support services being transferred to the NDIS.
That is why we have decided that all existing Early Childhood Intervention Services (ECIS) will continue to operate alongside the emerging NDIS model, until 2020.
This will ensure support services continue for children and families during transition to the NDIS.
For Department of Education staff currently employed at ECIS, this announcement means it's business as usual until 2020.
While the NDIS model establishes itself families will have a choice, as to whether the use ECIS, or an NDIS provider – whatever is best for them.
This is another example of the Hodgman Liberal Government listening to the concerns of the education community and our commitment to children with disability and their families.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Education and Training