The changing narrative of early childhood intervention in Australia: Service providers' perspectives on the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

• Implementation of the NDIS prevented families and communities, and service providers from providing the opportunities that foster children's developmental goals and long-term trajectories. • NDIS eligibility, assessment and planning procedures relied on administrative and medicalized approaches. • Service providers' ability to adhere to ECI quality practice was compromised. • Skills of the NDIS partner/planner workforce charged with key aspects of ECI service provision were highly variable. The Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) completed its roll-out in 2020 with the objective of addressing the inadequacies of a fragmented and underfunded service system for people with disabilities. Under the scheme, young children with disabilities or developmental delay can now access services through the Early Childhood Approach, which is delivered by a range of not-for profit and for-profit organizations. Considering the significance of the resulting service system changes and the critical role of service providers, the aim of the present study was to examine their experiences in the State of Victoria. Forty-five service providers participated in interviews and focus groups which generated information grouped into four themes: (1) A changed orientation; (2) Early childhood intervention (ECI) practice; (3) ECI workforce; (4) The potential for a new system. Participating service providers reported several challenges in their quest to effectively support children and their families. It is concluded that for the NDIS to fulfil its promise and potential, revisions and adaptations of its systems and policies that incorporate the current ECI evidence-based knowledge and translation into real-world implementation are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]