Early Steps Forward
What is Early Steps Forward?
Early Steps Forward (ESF) is a nurse practitioner-led model of care designed to help children access the right health and developmental support early - before concerns escalate.
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Delivered by children’s nurse practitioners through Just Kids Health, ESF works in partnership with schools, early learning services and communities to identify concerns early, support families, and improve access to care.
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The program focuses on children who may be:
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Starting school
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Experiencing learning, behaviour or developmental concerns
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Not yet connected with appropriate services
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Experiencing barriers to accessing care
Why Early Steps Forward?
Across Australia, many children with developmental or behavioural concerns experience long waits, fragmented pathways, or difficulty accessing services. Families are often told to “wait and see,” even when concerns are affecting learning and wellbeing.
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ESF responds to this gap by placing highly skilled children’s nurse practitioners in community settings where families already are - schools and early childhood services.
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The ESF model aims to:
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Identify developmental concerns earlier
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Reduce delays to assessment and support
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Improved family confidence and understanding
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Improve equity of access
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Strengthen navigation across health, education and community systems
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Support children to thrive at school and in life
What Children and Families can access under ESF (No GP Referral is required):
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Comprehensive health and development checks
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Screening and targeted assessments
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Early clinical support and monitoring
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Parent guidance and practical strategies
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Prescribing, referrals and care coordination
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Support linking with local services
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Collaboration with schools and early learning services
How the ESF Model Works:
Early Steps Forward operates through partnerships with:
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Primary schools, Early childhood education and care services
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Community organisations
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Health networks and health services
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The approach is:
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Family-centred, Strengths-based, Trauma-informed. Equity-focused
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Integrated across sectors
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Children can be seen on site where appropriate, reducing barriers for families and improving engagement.
Role of Nurse Practitioners:
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses with authority to:
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Assess and diagnose
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Order and interpret tests
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Prescribe medications
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Refer to specialists and allied health
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Lead models of care
Where ESF is operating
ESF is being implemented in selected sites from 2026, with a focus on communities experiencing higher levels of disadvantage and barriers to accessing services.
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To learn more about ESF, or for partnership / implementation enquiries please contact us:
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NursePrac Australia
info@nurseprac.com.au or 08 6243 1711