The dispute over early intervention for children at risk of developmental difficulties is intensifying in Andalusia. Families and professionals report that in provinces such as Almería and Granada overstretched Centros de Atención e Intervención Temprana (CAIT), growing waiting lists and staff turnover. Parent groups and professional associations say the trigger is the latest contracting practice, which increasingly favours private providers and is putting pressure on a provider landscape that has until now been largely shaped by non-profit organisations.
The regional government, by contrast, says the reorganisation will secure and improve services. According to figures from the Junta de Andalucía around 35,000 children received services from the Atención tempranain 2024. In future, provision is to be reorganised through a Concierto social , which the government says will strengthen continuity, quality standards and access in all provinces.
Representatives of providers and parents counter that the revised selection criteria disadvantage smaller, locally rooted organisations. This threatens the stability of therapy teams and forces families to change providers, interrupting treatment. The impact is particularly visible in Almería and Granada, where CAIT managers report that capacity is stretched to the limit and that it is difficult to fill vacant posts on the terms offered.
The dispute has already left its mark on politics. On 18 March 2026, the Parlamento de Andalucía called in a plenary resolution for early intervention services to be stabilised according to transparent, verifiable criteria, and for transitions to be managed in a way that preserves continuity and quality. The Junta de Andalucía had previously extended transitional contracts and announced preparations for a new tender.
Three aspects can be distinguished. First, demand remains high, with tens of thousands of children each year, according to government figures. Second, the contractual framework is to be reset through the planned Concierto social, affecting the balance between private and non-profit providers in the provinces. Third, local implementation depends on continuity within teams, the availability of professionals and stable payment systems.
The specific impact of the next contracting round on individual CAIT and families will depend on the final tender documents. One thing is clear: without funding tied to actual need and clear quality criteria, further interruptions to treatment are likely, with immediate consequences for children who depend on consistent, interdisciplinary support.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).