Early childhood is a window of extraordinary possibility and vulnerability. For children with developmental delay or disability, the timing, quality and setting of support can shape the trajectory of their lives. The social sector has increasingly recognised that inclusion and early action matter. Yet, systemic pressures, funding reforms and sustainability challenges threaten to undermine best practice at the very moment it is most needed.
At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful truth: early intervention works best when it works with families, not just children.
We spoke with Sally Moore, CEO of Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA) VIC/TAS, about her journey into the sector, the systemic challenges shaping early childhood intervention today, and why leadership in this space requires both courage and creativity.
Sally Moore began her career in early childhood education, spending a decade teaching in schools across Sydney, Hong Kong and Melbourne. After taking time out to raise her own children, her professional lens shifted. She began thinking more deeply about how outcomes for children are inseparable from the environments and families surrounding them.
That realisation led her into early childhood intervention (ECI), where she worked as a Key Worker supporting children and families directly.
“I was hooked,” she says.
Over time, Sally moved into leadership roles, building and guiding multidisciplinary teams and, eventually, stepping back to examine the systemic forces influencing service delivery. Today, as CEO of ECIA VIC/TAS, she operates at the intersection of policy, practice and advocacy , working to ensure children with developmental delay or disability receive the support they need, when and where they need it.
Q&A with Sally
What inspired you to pursue a career in the social sector?
I started my career in early childhood education and loved my first ten years working in schools in Sydney, Hong Kong and Melbourne. After taking a break to have my children, I began reflecting on the importance of working with the whole family — not just the child — to achieve the best outcomes.
Early childhood intervention was an obvious choice. It allowed me to work with children, their families and their education teams collaboratively. Once I started as a Key Worker in ECI, I was hooked. I loved the variety that each child and family brings.
As I moved into leadership roles, I had the opportunity to build fantastic teams delivering services in the community. That eventually allowed me to step back and examine the systemic issues influencing how those services are delivered.
What is the most fulfilling part of your work?
Talking to others and hearing what they are experiencing. Listening to their stories of their day and the way children with developmental delay/disability are or aren’t well supported.
What is the most impactful project you have worked on so far?
The current changes to NDIS pricing are keeping me very busy! And whilst we don’t have a resolution that is satisfactory as yet, I will continue to focus on the issues.
Outside of this, I would say creating dymanic teams that provide services to children and families in the commnunity.
Related story: Megan Gilmour on sustaining sick kids’ education
What are the biggest developments you have seen in the social sector?
The understanding of the importance of including all children in their communities. There is a big focus on inclusion at the moment and it is good to see changes slowly occurring both at a policy level but also on the ground.
What is the biggest challenge facing the sector today?
Viability and sustainability.
It is well known that the best outcomes for children and families are achieved, when services are delivered where children live, learn and play. But the latest changes to the NDIS do not support this approach and are in fact contradictory to best practice approaches.
Another aspect is the ‘wait and see’ approach. Often a parent knows something is not right, but this is not acted upon quickly enough, or a child almost has to ‘fail’ in order to access vital services. It is called Early intervention, recognising the need to get in early to reduce impacts further down the track.
What emerging technologies or trends will shape the sector’s future?
AI is certainly a player in this space and can be very useful in reducing admin burden. Having said that, it can’t replace the interaction a practitioner has with a child and family.
What advice would you give aspiring leaders in this sector?
Be open to new ideas, be ready to adapt quickly and take the time to look for innovative and creative ways of working.
Your team is your most valuable asset; invest in the people and the systems and processes that will support them to do their work.
Tell us about ECIA VIC/TAS. What makes it unique?
ECIA VIC/TAS sit in a unique position in the world of children and families. We represent quality providers delivering services to children with developmental delay or disability, and the famililes accessing their services. The cross over between early childhood intervention and early childhood is huge and presents enormous opportunities to work collaboratively for positive outcomes. I currently contribute to reforms in education, NDIS and now Foundational Supports. This allows us to see many perspectives and lots of the moving parts that need to come together from a system’s perspective. We can be the conduit between policy makers, and the people implementing them. We also have the opportunity to bring providers together to learn and share ideas together.
Share Your Story
Are you a leader or practitioner making a difference in the social sector? We want to hear your insights. Your experiences help bridge the gap between policy and the real-world impact on families.
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Ritchelle is Content Team Manager at Akolade, producing stories for Australia's not-for-profit sector at Third Sector.
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