Supporting the inclusion of children with additional needs in early childhood education and care services

Important News:

Resumption of Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and changes to IDF Subsidy claiming

The Inclusion Support Program (ISP) continued to operate during the COVID-19 period, supporting services to include children with additional needs.
 
With the return to CCS from 13 July, the claiming process will return to the pre-Relief Package arrangements.

• For care provided during the Relief Package (6 April to 12 July 2020), claims for the Inclusion Development Fund (IDF) subsidy are to be submitted as ‘non-face-to-face hours’ for all hours. This will allow claims to be processed without reference to attendance records in Child Care Subsidy System (CCSS).
• For care provided from 13 July 2020, claims for the IDF subsidy are to be submitted as ‘face-to-face hours’ and ‘allowable non-face-to-face hours’, which refers to attendance records in CCSS.

 For more information visit the FAQs on How to claim IDF Subsidy when CCS recommences or contact the Inclusion Development Fund Manager (IDFM) by email idfm@ku.com.au.
 
Please note, the IDFM help line 1800 824 955 is currently answered between 10 am and 4 pm eastern standard time. Phone messages will be returned as soon as possible. Alternatively, please email your query to idfm@ku.com.au.
 

Access to Inclusion Support Portal changing to PRODA from 10 February 2020
Inclusion

The authentication method for accessing the IS Portal will be changing from AUSkey to PRODA on Monday 10 February 2020.  This brings the IS Portal into line with the authentication method for the Child Care Subsidy System (CCSS).

Early Childhood Education and Care service users of the IS Portal will use their existing PRODA credentials (that is, the same PRODA credentials that you use for the CCSS).
 
For most existing users, when you access the IS Portal from 10 February 2020, (at https://inclusionsupport.dss.gov.au/ispportal/) you should be automatically connected to the IS Portal once you enter your PRODA credentials.
 
For some users, you may have an additional step of selecting your organisation, role type and requesting access. Once your organisation’s access delegate has approved your access you will be able to use your PRODA credentials to the IS Portal.  
 
Detailed information on accessing the IS Portal using PRODA can be found in the Inclusion Support Portal access using PRODA Fact sheet.

Further information is available at https://www.education.gov.au/inclusion-support-program-isp.
 

Inclusion Support Program (ISP)

The Inclusion Support Program (ISP) assists early childhood and child care (ECEC) services to include children with additional needs alongside their peers, through provision of tailored inclusion advice and support from Inclusion Agencies (IA) and access to funded support and specialist equipment where required.

 

The ISP consists of three key elements:

• Inclusion Agencies (IA)

  • Each state and territory has an Inclusion Agency contracted to assist eligible services to build their capacity and capability to provide and embed inclusive practice in their delivery of early learning programs. See the full list of IA providers in each state and territory.

• Inclusion Development Fund (IDF)

  • The IDF provides funding to assist eligible services to address a barrier to inclusion that cannot be addressed by the support of an IA. There are four streams of IDF funding – subsidy for an Additional Educator, Immediate/Time Limited Support, Family Day Care Top Up and Innovative Solutions. Each stream has different eligibility criteria, application processes and approved funding purposes.

• The Inclusion Development Fund Manager (IDFM)

  • KU Children’s Services in partnership with Include Me is the IDFM and is contracted to provide a nationally consistent and equitable management of the IDF.

This website provides information about the Inclusion Development Fund for IAs, ECEC services and families.

The Inclusion Support Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training.  For additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions, refer to the department's website.

The development of a Strategic Inclusion Plan (SIP) is the first step to accessing support from the Program, including funding through the IDF.

More About SIPs