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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.


For other important information, including providing NDIS related Documentary Evidence, click here



What is Guided Practice?

Guided Practice projects support services to implement changes to their practice through a combination of content delivery and practical support to implement new approaches. Guided Practice projects typically involve professional development sessions to provide information to educators followed by coaching and mentoring support to assist educators to incorporate the information provided into their practice.

Guided Practice Projects are defined by this methodology rather than by the specific focus of the Project. That is, Guided Practice projects can address a wide range of inclusion barriers, including, for example, those related to challenging behaviour, trauma, speech and language development or specific conditions such as autism.

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How does Guided Practice work?

Guided Practice Projects reflect current understandings of effective professional development that emphasize the importance of practical learning delivered over a period of time. In the context of Innovative Solutions Support this means the provision of direct coaching and mentoring support for educators in addition to content delivery.

While each Guided Practice Project will be different, but should all incorporate the following elements in the design:

  • Clear, evidence-based content. That is, the content that will be delivered through the Project should be able to be clearly described and should be reputable, based on accepted theory or evidence and align with the principles of inclusive practice.
  • Delivery by a Support Provider with sufficient knowledge, expertise and experience to provide effective support to educators
  • A combination of content delivery and practical support (i.e.: professional development supported by coaching and mentoring)
  • Opportunities for educators to engage with content and receive direct feedback on their implementation of the content into their practice.
  • Coaching opportunities for each content session to allow for practice and improvement and the incorporation of feedback. The exact ratio of coaching:content will vary depending on the complexity of the content and the level of change required.
  • Opportunities for Mentoring/ Reflection. Successful coaching requires uninterrupted time for educators to reflect and talk with the coach/mentor. Projects should demonstrate when and how time will be provided for this to occur (e.g.: how will educators be released to participate in mentoring sessions/reflective discussions?)

Strategic Inclusion Plan Requirements

Before commencing a Guided Practice 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.

Please refer to the Innovative Solutions Support Guide for Services for additional information regarding SIP requirements when apply for a Guided Practice 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 Guided Practice Project Application Process, services should consult with their IP to determine if Innovative Solutions Support, and a Guided Practice 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 Guided Practice Project.

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 Guided Practice 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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