The ECI Greece project
The components of an ECI system are present in the country, but not structured as an integrated ECI system. Different services are available for children with disabilities and their families, delivered by both the public and private sectors in the areas of health, social welfare and education.
Although many providers offer high-quality services and employ qualified staff, the lack of framework generates confusion on what an ECI system entails for both providers and families. Furthermore, the dominant approach is limited to a medical perspective focusing on children’s weaknesses rather than building on their strengths and supporting the family through community resources.
To sum up, the primary issues of the ECI provision in Greece highlighted through research and consultations are:
Lack of uniform quality standards and regulations for ECI providers
Unequal availability and accessibility of ECI programmes at a national, municipal, and regional level
Delayed response to children with significant gaps in service provisions for children under the age of 3
Delayed response to children with significant gaps in service provisions for children under the age of 3
Lack of standardised procedures for involving families in the initial assessment, the development, and monitoring of individualised therapeutical programmes
Lack of coordination among the different access points to the service system, the involved agents, services and ECI professionals
A medical approach where families' needs, priorities, and resources are not at the centre of the intervention.
To better comprehend the current state of play of ECI in Greece, it was important to draft a series of documents which would be crucial in understanding what the situation is like at the moment for all key stakeholders involved.
