Getting Started
Planning ahead helps every child enjoy a smooth transition to school.
For a child with disability and additional learning and support needs parents or carers should meet with their local school principal and the school learning and support team well ahead of time.
Every school has a learning and support team of education professionals. The team works collaboratively with students, parents and carers, and other agencies where appropriate to meet the learning and support needs of each student.
For a child with disability and additional learning and support needs parents or carers should meet with their local school principal and the school learning and support team well ahead of time.
Every school has a learning and support team of education professionals. The team works collaboratively with students, parents and carers, and other agencies where appropriate to meet the learning and support needs of each student.
When to start
It is recommended that parents and carers contact their local school to discuss their child's needs by:
The Transition to School Referral form can be completed and forwarded to The Department of Education office in your area to start this process.
Schools work in close consultation with a range of early childhood services that can provide valuable information. Parent and carers may also be referred to our schools via other organisations.
It is recommended that parents and carers contact their local school to discuss their child's needs by:
- term 2 of the year before starting school for a child with disability and additional learning and support needs
- term 2 of two years before starting school for a child needing help with access or mobility, e.g. for wheelchair access or if other significant changes to the school environment may be required.
The Transition to School Referral form can be completed and forwarded to The Department of Education office in your area to start this process.
Schools work in close consultation with a range of early childhood services that can provide valuable information. Parent and carers may also be referred to our schools via other organisations.
Transition to school
For the first meeting at the school, parents or carers should take:
By taking into account the insights and information parents and carers can offer, schools can provide relevant information to support parents to make well informed decisions about their child's individual learning and support needs and school placement options.
For the first meeting at the school, parents or carers should take:
- any relevant information – medical reports, any reports provided by therapists or other agencies, organisations or health personnel
- details of any resources or equipment that are used or required for day to day activities.
- A list of questions they have regarding schooling options for their child.
By taking into account the insights and information parents and carers can offer, schools can provide relevant information to support parents to make well informed decisions about their child's individual learning and support needs and school placement options.
Enrolment
Enrolment arrangements for students with disability and additional learning and support needs are the same as for all students. For information about enrolment, parents and carers can visit their local public primary school.
Students with a confirmed disability may be enrolled in any one of the following:
The school principal, in consultation with the school's Learning and Support Team, will assist you to find the right schooling option for your child, taking into account your choice, your child's specific additional learning and support needs and proximity to local specialist services.
In addition, local educational services staff can provide information and advice to families and schools to
support decision making.
In addition to special classes and special schools, the following services are
available in all public schools:
Enrolment arrangements for students with disability and additional learning and support needs are the same as for all students. For information about enrolment, parents and carers can visit their local public primary school.
Students with a confirmed disability may be enrolled in any one of the following:
- regular classes (subject to standard enrolment procedures)
- support classes in regular schools (subject to placement panel procedures)
- special schools (subject to placement panel procedures)
The school principal, in consultation with the school's Learning and Support Team, will assist you to find the right schooling option for your child, taking into account your choice, your child's specific additional learning and support needs and proximity to local specialist services.
In addition, local educational services staff can provide information and advice to families and schools to
support decision making.
In addition to special classes and special schools, the following services are
available in all public schools:
- Students who experience difficulties in basic areas of learning, social skills and behaviour are supported through Learning and Support in their local school.
- The Integration Funding Support Program is a targeted support program for eligible school aged students with confirmed disabilities and needs that cannot be met by school resources. These students will be enrolled in a regular class and attending on a full time basis.
- Itinerant Support teachers provide support for students with hearing and/or vision impairment and their teachers.
Assisted School Travel Program
Specialised transport to and from schools can be provided to eligible students
with a disability enrolled in support classes in mainstream and special schools.
Specialised transport to and from schools can be provided to eligible students
with a disability enrolled in support classes in mainstream and special schools.