Early Intervention Consultancy Model
Flexible, individualised guidance to support your child’s growth.
Our Early Intervention Consultancy service provides families with tailored support from a Clinical Consultant, without the need for a full therapy team. It is designed for children under 9 years old and works best for families who prefer a lighter-touch approach that integrates strategies into everyday settings.
What the Consultancy Model Offers
- Clinical Consultant-Led Support - Families receive guidance and training directly from an Early Childhood Clinical Consultant or Behaviour Support Practitioner, who works with them at an agreed frequency.
- One-on-one sessions with a Clinical Consultant – focused on your child’s individual learning goals.
- Observations in natural settings – home, kinder, school, or community to shape practical strategies.
- Learning Support Plan – personalised goals covering daily living skills, communication, social interaction, and motor development.
- Parent, educator, and carer training – so strategies can be carried across all areas of your child’s life.
- Key worker support – consultants liaise with schools, care teams, and other professionals.
Benefits for Your Child and Family
- A personalised plan designed to fit your child’s unique needs and family priorities.
- Strategies that can be applied across home and community for consistency.
- Increased confidence for parents, carers, and educators through training and support.
- Flexibility – families may choose to use their own supports to implement the plan or engage L4Life Therapy Assistants as needed.
This model is ideal for families who want professional guidance, practical strategies, and flexibility in how supports are delivered.
Would your child benefit from a more comprehensive, team-based program with intensive support delivered at home and in the community?
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does therapy take place?
Sessions are usually held in the child's home, kinder, childcare, or a family member's home. EI is not a centre-based service, but we can accommodate some sessions at our Kew centre.
When do sessions run?
Monday to Saturday, 8am–5pm, typically in 2 to 3-hour blocks. Scheduling has limited flexibility due to staffing across other client sessions.
What do therapy sessions involve?
Sessions run around 3 hours, combining structured teaching with play, and may include community outings tied to the child's goals. Clinical Consultants attend regularly to observe and support the program.
What are the Early Intervention fees?
Clinical Consultant time is $193.99/hour (sessions, planning, reports, travel capped at $97). Behaviour Support Practitioner rate: $252.99/hour (for clients with Improved Relationships funding for a Behaviour Support Plan), with travel for this role charged at $126.50/hour, capped at 30 minutes each way.
What is Learning for Life's Early Intervention Program?
EI is a home and community-based ABA program, delivered in two ways: EI-Consultancy (EI-C), where a Clinical Consultant builds and guides a Learning Support Plan directly with the family; and EI-Full Service Model (EI-FSM), where a Clinical Consultant designs the plan in consultation with the family and a team of Therapy Assistants deliver it through regular sessions, with Learning for Life (L4Life) managing all staffing and materials. Both methods of delivery include coaching for parents and gradians.
[EM1]might want to add that both programs include parent coaching
What is the role of an Early Childhood Clinical Consultant in the Early Intervention Program?
Clinical Consultants design and oversee each child's Early Intervention (EI) program, setting individualised goals and building a Learning Support Plan in partnership with parents and the child's broader support network. They're the family's main point of contact, and where a family is on the Early Intervention Full-Service Model (EI-FSM), they also supervise the Therapy Assistant team.
How does the Early Childhood Clinical Consultant plan and develop the program?
Through observations at home and in the child's other settings, one-on-one sessions, and collaboration with the family, the Clinical Consultant builds an individualised Learning Support Plan. This plan is reviewed and adjusted on an ongoing basis, and parents and educators are trained in how to implement it.
What qualifications do your Early Childhood Clinical Consultants have?
Our Clinical Consultants hold relevant undergraduate/master’s degrees, have at least three years' ABA experience with young children with Autism, and are registered with the Association for Behaviour Analysis Australia. All are registered NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioners and meet NDIS Early Childhood Professional requirements.
What qualifications do your Early Intervention Therapy Assistants have?
Therapy Assistants complete Learning for Life's certified training program, combining on-the-job and theoretical training overseen by senior Clinical Consultants. Training continues on an ongoing basis, and many are also studying related fields like psychology or speech pathology.
How does the Clinical Consultant supervise the Therapy Assistants in the Early Intervention Full-Service Model?
Clinical Consultants provide a minimum of 1 hour of supervision for every 6 hours of therapy (capped at 3 hours/week), through direct observation and review of session data. The supervision plan is set at the start of the program and reviewed each term.
What is the role of an ABA Therapy Assistant in the Early Intervention Full-Service Model?
Therapy Assistants deliver a child's Learning Support Plan one-to-one, under the direction of the Clinical Consultant. A second Therapy Assistant may join a session for training purposes at no extra cost to the family.
Is there a minimum weekly number of hours of therapy required?
Hours are set case-by-case based on the child's needs, with sessions starting lower and building up over time. We recommend working toward clinically recommended hours where practical for maximum benefit.
Can my child access other therapies at the same time as the Early Intervention program?
Yes, we take a holistic approach and support families running other therapies (like OT or speech) alongside our program. If considering biomedical treatments, please check with your Clinical Consultant first, as this can affect program progress.
Who is eligible to access the Early Intervention program?
Children with a diagnosis (or provisional diagnosis) of Autism Spectrum Disorder, under age 9, are eligible. Families register interest via an Expression of Interest form, with enrolment depending on capacity at the time.
Can I use NDIS funding towards the cost of the EI program?
Yes, funding under Capacity Building (Improved Daily Living) for early intervention, ABA, or therapy assistant supports can be used, as can Improved Relationships/Behaviour Support funding for a Behaviour Support Plan. We support agency, plan, and self-managed clients.
What is the Fair Access Subsidy Program?
A Learning for Life fundraising initiative offering fee subsidies to families without sufficient NDIS funding who can't otherwise afford service. Applications are open to all clients, but approval isn't guaranteed.
Have more questions?
Contact us via phone, email, or online form.
Speak to our team about your needs
Enquire Now To learn more about our Consultancy Model, please call us at (03) 9853 4607, email us at enquiries@learningforlife.com.au, or complete the form below.
