Deputy Director Professor Andrew Whitehouse, Inklings SA Operations Coordinator Rachel Buckingham, Inklings Senior Manager Rebecca Langford, and Inklings General Manager Gemma Upson at the Adelaide launch.
South Australian families with babies showing early social and communication differences will be among the first to benefit from a nation-leading early support program, as The Kids Research Institute Australia’s Inklings Program officially launches in South Australia.
Thanks to a joint investment by the Albanese and Malinauskas Governments, the program will help caregivers understand the needs of babies between the ages of six to 18 months who are showing early developmental differences and build the capacity of families to better support their child.
Inklings uses short videos of the caregiver with their baby to help parents better understand their baby’s thoughts and feelings, the different ways that babies communicate, the importance of interaction, and of following their baby’s focus of interest.
The $14.8 million program is funded by the Department of Social Services and the South Australian Government, in partnership with The Kids Research Institute Australia across the state, including Northern Adelaide, Adelaide metro, regional areas, Lower Eyre, and Far North (regional and remote).
The pilot program has already seen success in Western Australia, providing families with valuable support and resources.
Professor Andrew Whitehouse, Deputy Director at The Kids, welcomed the expansion of Inklings to South Australia.
"The Inklings Program launching in South Australia means that more families will have early support at their fingertips." Professor Whitehouse said.
“Early support, when it is needed most, will help families at a crucial time in their child’s development, providing long-term benefits for the child’s future."
“It’s a great feeling to see the translation of this life-changing research making a difference to families who need support. This is a truly exciting moment for South Australia,” Professor Whitehouse said.
Delivery of the program was a key recommendation of South Australia’s Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care. It will focus on breaking down barriers for families from First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse, and low-socioeconomic backgrounds to access the program.
This marks the second stage of an early care initiative, building on previous efforts to support families at the earliest stages of their child's development.