Intake
Welcome to Early Links Intake
Our Intake team will provide you and your family with personalised, professional local knowledge and support to help you navigate the NDIS. The Intake Team is available for you to connect with, and will provide you with reassurance and regular updates throughout your journey with us.
What does our Intake Team do?
Our Early Links Intake Team works through referrals made by families, preschools, doctors, caseworkers, and staff, then contacts families to discuss the support that may be required. Individuals who already have an NDIS plan will be placed on a waitlist allocation, and the therapy supports that are required are noted on our system according to the geographical area.
A step-by-step of our intake process:
- Our Administration Team completes the client referral form.
- Our Intake Team meet weekly to go through all referrals and decide if the referral is an NDIS allocation or intake (wanting to make a referral to NDIS).
- Our Intake Team contact each client referral.
- If you already have an NDIS plan, our Intake Team will discuss what supports you may require through Early Links and the types of supports that are available.
- You or your parent/carers will indicate the supports you may require. Our Intake Team will then place you on our allocation waitlist to be allocated a key worker.
- If you do not have NDIS funding but have a Medicare plan or want to access support privately, you will be placed on our waitlist fee for service.
- Our Intake Team will offer a personalised service with an experienced early intervention teacher who can talk through different options in seeking assistance.
Who can our Intake Team help?
There are no limitations to who can make referrals to Early Links, providing a parent or carer gives consent.
Our Intake Team can assist with referring NDIS clients, clients who may wish to pay privately for support, clients with Medicare plans, and families with concerns of developmental delay in children six and under.
For children six or under, who do not have an NDIS plan, and are looking for help to access NDIS and supports, our Intake team will help access Northcott, which is an external disability provider.
Our team will contact Northcott directly or complete a Northcott referral form and submit it on your behalf. Our team will also provide contact details for community supports and relevant information such as Medicare plans.
For children seven and over, who do not have an NDIS plan and are looking for assistance to access the NDIS, our Intake Team will discuss a diagnosis that fits the NDIS criteria to receive eligible funding. Our Intake Team will also provide contact details to the Local Area Coordinator, community supports, Medicare plans and community health.
Meet our friendly Intake Team
Jo
Early Intervention Specialist Teacher
Which areas do our Intake Team cover?
Aberdeen, Abermain, Bellbird, Beresfield, Bolwarra, Branxton, Cessnock, Chisholm, Cliftleigh, Dungog, East Maitland, Gillieston Heights, Greta, Heddon Greta, Hinton, Kurri Kurri, Laguna, Lochinvar, Lorn, Maitland, Morpeth, Muswellbrook, Paterson, Raworth, Raymond Terrace, Rothbury, Rutherford, Singleton, Stroud, Tarro, Telarah, Tenambit, Thornton, Vacy, Windella, Wollombi, Woodberry and more.
Telehealth sessions are also an option if appropriate for the individual or group participants instead of face-to-face sessions.
How do I start Intake with Early Links?
If you’re ready to get started or just want to find out more, you can use the form below to get in touch with us.
We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have, explain what would be involved and tell you all about the support we can offer.
Get In Touch
Please complete the form below to contact Early Links. Our friendly team will be very happy to assist you.
Contact us
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can complete a referral?
Parents, preschools, daycares, general practitioners, caseworkers, grandparents, or our staff can complete a client referral form providing permission has been given by the parent/carer.
How long will it take to receive my funding?
If you have an NDIS Plan, then you will already have funding. If you want to access NDIS funding and come through our intake without a plan, our Intake Team can refer you to the appropriate support to get you started.
What is the difference between an Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Coordinator and a Local Area Coordinator (LAC)?
Northcott is the ECEI Provider for children six years and under in our Local Government Areas. Northcott provides a pathway for families with children six and under who believe their child may have developmental concerns.
Northcott can discuss any concerns you may have to determine if your child would be eligible for NDIS funding or provide access to early intervention interim supports.
Uniting is the Local Area Coordinator for people seven years and over in our Local Government Areas. They are the provider who supports families in determining eligibility and access to NDIS funding.
Why am I on a waitlist?
Our Intake Team will contact families within a week of a referral being received with an update. If you have an NDIS Plan, you will be placed on our allocation waitlist until a key worker has the availability to commence the required support.
How long will I be on a waitlist?
This will vary depending on therapist availability and their caseloads at the time.
How does the intake process vary to NDIS support coordination?
Early Links intake is for anyone with an NDIS plan who is looking to access supports, or anyone who does not have funding but would like assistance to access the NDIS pathways (Northcott or LAC) for potential funding.
Support coordination is a component that can be implemented into your NDIS plan. If you already have an NDIS plan, you can still contact our Intake Team by completing a referral form; our team will ensure these referrals are directed to the correct area.
Some clients with an NDIS plan can contact our Intake team (by completing a referral form) and ask for support coordination or plan management only and then the Intake Team will ensure that these referrals are directed to the correct area.