About the Department

A boost to the early intervention workforce

News bulletin: 5 October 2009

Announced by the Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Hon Maxine Morand on 30 September 2009 at the Cerebal Palsy Education Centre (CPEC) in Glen Waverley, the new incentive scheme will boost the number of professionals delivering support to children with special needs.

‘The Early Childhood Intervention New Graduate Incentive Scheme is designed to attract and retain new staff and meet the growing need for early intervention,’ Ms Morand said.

Under the Early Childhood Intervention Workforce incentive schemes, 26 Victorians will be employed to increase the number of professionals working in these services across the state.

‘We know that children with a disability or developmental delay needs extra support and that they benefit significantly from the care and expertise of dedicated and trained early intervention professionals,’ Ms Morand said.

The Early Childhood Intervention Workforce Strategy include up to $6000 payment for graduates to work in an early childhood intervention service for two years; up to $6000 for professionals to work in a rural early childhood intervention service; and scholarships for early childhood intervention workers who are interested in post graduate studies.

With this announcement, Ms Morand also took the opportunity to congratulate physiotherapist Vicki Newton and occupational therapist Shereen Ong for their recent work at the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC).

Ms Newton and Ms Ong completed their final year placements at CPEC and since graduating have both been employed at the centre.

Given their commitment to working with children with cerebral palsy, Ms Morand awarded them with a $6000 incentive payment to further their work in an early childhood intervention service for another two years.

‘This is fantastic news for the children who attend CPEC and their families who will benefit from the commitment, expertise and passion that both Vicki and Shereen have shown during their time at the centre,’ Ms Morand said.