22 September 2023

Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences receives German Early Intervention Award 2023 for innovative "Inclusive Early Intervention" concept

Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and its Early Childhood Competence Centre were recently awarded the prestigious German Early Intervention Prize 2023 in recognition of their pioneering work in the field of early intervention for children. The award-winning "Inclusive Early Intervention" concept, developed by Prof. Dr Armin Sohns, has achieved considerable success in recent years under his leadership with team members Prof. Dr Andreas Seidel, Jana Urbanek and Denise Schulz in the district of Göttingen as part of a pilot project.

"Inclusive early intervention" is characterised by low-threshold preventative services that make it much easier for families to access early intervention. The concept is based on interdisciplinary cooperation between all services and specialists involved, with parents being actively involved. The previous formal application procedure has been replaced by this innovative approach.

The German Early Intervention Award was presented by a panel of experts from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) and the National Centre for Early Intervention (NZFH). The jury unanimously recognised the Early Childhood Competence Centre at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences for its pioneering work, which has the potential to have a lasting impact on the early intervention landscape in Germany.

Prof. Dr Armin Sohns, was delighted with the award and emphasised the importance of inclusive early education for the healthy development of children. He emphasised how the cooperation of all those involved, including parents, contributes to positively shaping the children's living environment and counteracting challenges at an early stage. Overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and switching to coordinated cooperation between all professionals and institutions are key features of this innovative approach.

The successful implementation of the pilot project in the Göttingen district is already showing amazing results. An interdisciplinary team consisting of specialists from various fields, including local paediatricians, has quickly come together to form an overall system in order to coordinate all assistance in consultation with the parents. This preventative approach makes it possible to identify and support more families who are concerned about their children's development.

The results of the pilot project will be presented to a broad specialist audience for the first time on 29 September at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences. Prominent guests, including the District Administrator of Göttingen and the Lower Saxony Minister of Social Affairs, will present the concept and support it with speeches, emphasising the importance and success of this pioneering initiative. Receiving the German Early Intervention Award not only honours the past, but also encourages further commitment and innovation in this crucial area of young people's education and development.