Flexible Support Packages

Overview

Flexible Support Packages (FSPs) provide short-term assistance (up to 10 weeks) that act as bridging, immediate support as longer-term inclusion is determined.

Approximately 50 packages are available state-wide to purchase additional short-term supports for children who:

have a background of trauma and adversity in the early years
consistently demonstrate behaviours of concern
require immediate additional support to stabilise their placement and inclusion in the kindergarten program.

FSPs primarily aims to stabilise the child's enrolment and improve attendance and inclusion in the kindergarten program. They also aim to enhance the child's safety and engagement in the kindergarten program, through building capacity, to:

support and address the child's concerning behaviours
regulate attention, emotions and behaviour during attendance
to develop skills that effectively and positively manage interactions with other children and adults/educators.

In circumstances where the child's longer-term inclusion cannot be supported after the initial support through available programs, an FSP application for longer-term support can be submitted.

Eligiblity for Flexible Support Packages

To be eligible for a FSP children must:

be enrolled in a funded kindergarten program
have a background of complex trauma (e.g. prolonged state of stress, repeated exposure to adverse life experience, child is in out-of-home care, Children Known to Child Protection)
demonstrate behaviours that require immediate support to stabilise their placement and inclusion in kindergarten.

In addition, services need to demonstrate that:

they are unable to access appropriate and timely support through existing programs
the supports required are not available through other available funding streams.

Access Flexible Support Packages

FSP Program Guidelines (PDF, 340KB) provide information on how FSPs can be accessed and who is involved in the application process. Please read the guidelines and contact your ECIB representative to begin the process.

Supports available through a Flexible Support Package

FSPs provide responsive and tailored support to assist the child be immediately included in the kindergarten program. This is done through identifying supports and strategies required to stabilise and address the child's needs and behaviours.

FSPs approved supports include:

Trauma specialist or Allied Health Practitioner
Additional Educator/Assistant
Professional learning
Equipment or resources necessary for the child's inclusion
Backfill for Educators to engage in activities directly related to FSP, e.g. coaching and debriefing

Flexible Support Package and School Readiness Funding and Kindergarten Inclusion Support

FSPs complement but do not duplicate the support programs that are already in place. FSPs are designed to provide short-term immediate support that cannot be provided through available support programs. This may include School Readiness Funding (SRF) Planned Activities, SRF Allied Health allocation, Kindergarten Inclusion Support and the Preschool Field Officer program.