Data on Weekly Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children by Age and Level of Need Compared, and Changes Linked to Enrolment and Capacity

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what is the average weekly Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC) intervention duration per child, by age and level of need; (b) how this duration compares with medically recommended intervention intensity for medium-to-high needs; (c) whether intervention duration has changed in recent years; and (d) if so, whether this change is associated with enrolment relative to capacity.

The Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC) supports children who require medium to high levels of early intervention (EI) support. Children in EIPIC have different needs and intervention can take different forms. The support needed by each child, including intervention duration, is therefore determined by a transdisciplinary team of EI and allied health professionals at the EIPIC centre, based on the needs of the child. This team regularly reviews and adjusts the plans according to the child's progress. Children in EIPIC typically receive between five and 12 hours of intervention each week.