Enhanced Early Supports Pilot and Early Years Support Coach Pilot

Building capable, connected and thriving children and families

BSL developed the Enhanced Early Supports (EES) model to improve access to timely, individualised early supports for children with developmental delay and their families who are not accessing individual funding through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Delivered through a coaching and key‑worker approach in home and community settings, the model was first piloted in Brimbank and Melton, where evaluation findings demonstrated improvements in child development outcomes and increases in family confidence and capacity. 

The pilot worked alongside families with children aged 0 to 6 with developmental concerns and delays who were not already accessing the NDIS. It provided families a practitioner who supported them using a capacity building model. This included visiting families in their homes or community settings for up to 20 sessions. Staff coached caregivers to identify the needs of their child, connected families to foundational and mainstream supports, and provided information, advice and coaching to support the development of the child. 

The Early Years Support Coach pilot builds on this work by extending delivery of the EES model to a neighbouring area – Wyndham and Hobsons Bay – and by testing the model with an expanded workforce that includes staff from varied professional backgrounds. Core elements of the model remain consistent, including individualised support, capacity‑building with families, and structured supervision and case consultation. 

Updated information on where the model is currently being piloted can be found on the  BSL NDIS website . 

For more information about the evaluation, please contact Tanya Oxlade  tanya.oxlade@bsl.org.au