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A quick guide and full guide are available to support you to navigate the exciting changes to the Strategic Inclusion Plan on the IS Portal introduced in June 2024.

There is a Checklist to help services to ensure your IDF Subsidy for an Additional Educator application is complete and accurate, prior to submission to your IP for endorsement.


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What is Bilingual Support

Bilingual Support provides language support for children and/or families who do not speak English fluently. This is usually done through the provision of a Bilingual Facilitator who can speak the child’s first language and assist educators to communicate with the child and their family. Bilingual Support can also include access to interpreter services and translation of written documents to support communication with a child’s family. In most cases Bilingual Support is a short-term form of support while a child settles into a new early childhood setting.

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What does a Bilingual Facilitator do?

A Bilingual Facilitator typically works directly with the child and their educators to interpret and to provide security and comfort during the child’s transition into the service. They can also help educators to communicate with the child’s family members and facilitate information sharing between the service and the family.

In addition to this language support, Bilingual Facilitators also provide insight into the child’s culture for educators. This is often done in an informal way as the facilitator and educators work alongside each other.

When is Bilingual Support needed?

Bilingual Support is needed when language differences create a Barrier to inclusion. This could be because a child becomes distressed or withdrawn because of their inability to communicate effectively with their peers and educators or because educators are unable to communicate with the child’s family members in order to share important information.

Bilingual Support will not be needed in all cases where there are language differences. There may be another educator or family member who can act as an interpreter, or a child may settle happily despite the language difference.

Strategic Inclusion Plan Requirements

Routine Applications

Before commencing a Bilingual Support Project application, the service must have a current Strategic Inclusion Plan (SIP), documented in the IS Portal, which includes a SIP Care Environment Plan for the Care Environments who will be involved in the Project.

Urgent Applications

Bilingual Support Projects applications are only considered urgent where a child’s enrolment or continued attendance is dependent on the service being able to access Innovative Solutions Support.

A SIP is not required for urgent Projects, however, after the assessment and outcome of the application the service is required to develop their SIP, including a SIP Care Environment Plan for each Care Environment participating in the Bilingual Support Project.

Please refer to the Innovative Solutions Support Guide for Services for additional information regarding SIP requirements when apply for a Bilingual Support Project.

Developing a Project Application

Inclusion Professionals (IP) play an important role in supporting services to access and implement Innovative Solutions Support Projects. Before beginning the Bilingual Support Project Application Process, services should consult with their IP to determine if Innovative Solutions Support, and a Bilingual Support Project are the best fit for their specific needs.

Individual ECEC services, including specific care environments within a service, individual Family Day Care educators, Family Day Care Services or groups of services can apply for Bilingual Support.

IPs are required to endorse the services application before it can be submitted to the Inclusion Development Fund Manager (IDFM) for Approval.

Developing an Innovative Solutions Support Project requires the service to:

  • Consult with their Inclusion Professional (IP)
  • Have a current Strategic Inclusion Plan (SIP)
  • Complete an Application Form including developing a Project Plan
  • Select a Support Provider and obtain a financial quote
  • Create and submit an IS Case on the IS Portal

Please refer to the Innovative Solutions Support Guide for Services for additional information regarding SIP requirements when apply for a Bilingual Support Project.

Application Outcomes

If funding is approved

The service will receive an email with a Letter of Offer attached, providing the details of their approved Innovative Solutions Case. This will be sent to the Service Provider email address listed on the services SIP. This letter must be signed and returned to the IDF Manager at idfminnovative@ku.com.au. Once the agreement is executed, payment will be made directly to the service from the Department.

If funding is not approved

The service will receive an email with an Application Declined letter attached. This will be sent to the Service Provider email address listed on the services SIP. The outcome of the assessment will be available as an ‘Assessment Outcome’ note on the IS Case.

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