The current special issue of the INT-JECSE
represents a fruitful discourse of 8 research
and training institutions in Early Childhood
Intervention (ECI) across Europe about 2
apparently controversy tendencies: respecting
the diversity of concepts, structures and
services in different European countries, on the
one hand, introducing basic standards in terms
of comparable quality (for parents) and
comparability.
Even though
most of the ECI systems and concepts are based
on comparable key terms (preventive, child- and
family-centred transdisciplinary work mainly in
natural setting (home visits), including
development-adequate methods and focusing on
resources and strengths of family systems), the
different contributions reflect, how different
national systems address these key issues, but
also how difficult it might be for parents to
find the support they need (taking into account
all these diverse pathways towards ECI. However,
most of the descriptions highlight the need of
coordination and cooperation of involved
stakeholders, mainly health, social and
educational systems. Taking into account this
diversity, are we able to define standards in
early childhood intervention in Europe?
At its simplest, a standard is an
agreed, repeatable way of doing something. It is
a published document that contains a technical
specification or other precise criteria designed
to be used consistently as a rule, guideline, or
definition. To address this issue in ECI we will
not be able to introduce one system of ECI in
Europe, one common training approach, one new
professional identity due to the diverse
pathways in this complex field. However, we
might be able to define general sets of rules
(e.g., the existence of a participative concept,
transparent and fully participative structures
and processes and clearly related outcome
parameter).
This set of rules will be based
on a participative discourse of all involved
partners: parents, professionals, financial
bodies, research and training institutions; and
to forget: our vulnerable children.
Manfred Pretis, Ph.D.
Editor of Special Issue,
INT-JECSE
The Third
Conference of the International Society on Early
Intervention
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