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Attachment security, early childhood intervention and the National Disability Insurance Scheme: a risk and rights analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 October 2019

Stacey Lynne Alexander Open the ORCID record for Stacey Lynne Alexander [Opens in a new window] ,
Margarita Frederico Open the ORCID record for Margarita Frederico [Opens in a new window]  and
Maureen Long
Stacey Lynne Alexander*
Affiliation:
Department of Occupational Therapy and Social Work and Social Policy, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
Margarita Frederico
Affiliation:
Department of Occupational Therapy and Social Work and Social Policy, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
Maureen Long
Affiliation:
Department of Occupational Therapy and Social Work and Social Policy, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
*
Author for correspondence: Stacey Lynne Alexander, Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

To promote the rights, well-being and development of the child, and for the benefit of families and the community, attachment should be a central focus of early childhood intervention (ECI) under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). ECI Key Workers have the opportunity to positively influence parent–child relationships and are encouraged to do so by the ECI national guidelines. This article identifies how elements of the NDIS design and implementation may be counterproductive to fostering attachment security in children. These elements can lead to delayed intervention; increased parental stress; reduced expertise of service providers; and financial disincentives for best practice in working with disadvantaged families. The article highlights the implications for children with a disability and their families in Australian society and identifies lessons for the design and implementation of social policy.

Keywords

Attachmentchildrendisabilityearly interventionSOCIAL policy
Type
Articles
Information
Children Australia , Volume 44 , Issue 4 , December 2019 , pp. 187 - 193
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2019 

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