School support for children with special needs

Going to school is an exciting and important time in your child’s development. Supporting your child through the move to primary and then secondary school can take careful planning and research to make sure the school is the right fit. It is best to start early, and there are a range of supports in place to help, including a dedicated support group for your child and various government programs.

Working in partnership with the school#

A positive partnership with your child’s school is the foundation for a successful school experience for your child and family. Take time to get to know the school, its facilities, routines, staff and students, and share important information about your child. This helps build and maintain an ongoing relationship.

Good communication keeps you up to date with your child’s progress. It can be:

• formal, through regular support group meetings and parent-teacher interviews
• informal, through quick catch-ups with teachers and email or phone contact as needed

A school diary, planner or a “communication book” that travels between home and school in your child’s bag can all help you stay in touch.

Student support groups#

A student support group brings people together to support a child with additional learning needs. The group usually includes:

• you (and your child’s other parent or guardian, if appropriate)
• your child’s class or homeroom teacher
• the school principal or a nominee
• a parent advocate, if you request one
• your child, where appropriate

The group works to identify your child’s needs, consider any adjustments to the curriculum, and regularly review and evaluate those needs, for example once a term.

Individual learning plans#

One of the group’s first tasks is to develop an individual learning plan for your child. The plan should cover not only academic needs but also safety, behaviour, medical and personal care needs. It should be flexible enough to allow for changes over time.

A learning plan is generally developed only for the areas of the curriculum where your child needs extra support. This may be for certain subjects or for the whole curriculum.

Funding and equipment#

Schools that enrol students with a moderate to severe disability may be eligible for funding to support those students, and applications are usually made through the student support group. Funding can be used for things such as specialist equipment and additional support staff. Schools can also apply for building modifications, such as ramps and accessible toilets. The support group plans how funds are used and makes recommendations for the principal’s approval.

Choosing a school#

There is a lot to consider when choosing a school, including your child’s strengths and interests, the school’s facilities, and your family’s needs. Every child and family is different, and the school you choose should meet your child’s needs.

Planning for primary school ideally begins while your child is in their early years, and speaking with their early childhood teacher is a good place to start. It is a good idea to begin planning for secondary school a couple of years before the move, to allow plenty of time to explore your options.

When weighing up your choices, think about:

• your child’s strengths and interests, whether academic, arts or sport
• your child’s own wishes, as they may feel more comfortable at one school than another
• your own instincts, and do not undervalue your gut reaction to a school

To help you decide:

• Attend open days, information evenings and tours to get a feel for the school’s facilities, values and approach to learning.
• Meet the principal, whose responses to your questions and the attitude of other staff can tell you a lot.
• Consider the physical environment, and raise any likely access issues early so the school can plan modifications.
• Ask how the program and curriculum allow students with disability to take part on the same basis as other students.
• Ask how the school can meet your child’s medical or personal care needs.
• Ask how the school supports social interaction, and about its anti-bullying policy.
• Think about distance and travel, and how your child will get to and from school.

Some areas zone government schools, meaning entry can be restricted to children living nearby, though a school with space may enrol children from outside the zone. Schools are required to follow disability discrimination and education standards that protect your child’s right to access education.

Specialist schools#

Specialist schools are designed to be more accessible than mainstream schools in terms of both environment and curriculum, though this can mean fewer subjects are on offer. Class sizes are usually smaller, and many specialist schools also have therapists on staff. As with all schools, students must meet the enrolment criteria, so contact the principal for more information. Travel support, such as a school bus, may be available to children living within a specialist school’s transport area.

Other schooling options#

Independent and faith-based schools set their own enrolment criteria, so you will need to contact individual schools directly. They may be eligible for disability funding, though it can differ from funding in government schools. Other options can include:

• dual enrolment, where a child attends both a specialist and a mainstream school
• special units or learning facilities within a mainstream school
• distance education, for children who meet the eligibility criteria
• home schooling, where you educate your child at home, which usually requires registering with the relevant education authority

Preparing for secondary school#

Preparing for the move to secondary school can start early; some schools have long waiting lists. A few years before the move, begin talking to friends, neighbours and other families for recommendations, visit school websites, and attend information evenings, open days and tours. Aim to have a shortlist ready ahead of the final year of primary school.

During your child’s last year of primary school, you could:

• revisit the schools you are interested in and meet principals again if needed
• take your child to visit your preferred school or schools
• raise the move at your student support group meetings
• complete any preference forms and enrolment paperwork required

Once a place is offered, expect a support group meeting with relevant staff from the secondary school, usually arranged by the primary school. Ask the secondary school about an extended orientation, and request a support group meeting early in the first term. It can help for your child to visit the school before other students start so they can find their locker and key facilities and meet teachers. Spend time helping your child get familiar with their timetable, and practise the route to school during the holidays if they will travel independently.

Disability supports at school#

Government schools provide a range of resources and programs for students with a disability. It can take time for the support group to get to know your child’s strengths and needs, but this happens through developing the learning plan. Once the plan is complete, you can look at any additional resources your child might need; the group makes recommendations and the principal makes the final decision.

Available supports can include:

• student welfare or wellbeing staff, who help with issues such as bullying, attendance, drug use, family conflict and low mood
• specialist support staff such as psychologists, social workers and speech pathologists, and visiting teachers for students with vision, hearing or physical impairments
• aids and equipment support, including grants for students with vision impairment
• staff training to support students with complex medical needs
• help with travel costs, and building modifications such as ramps where major access changes are needed

Supporting learning at home#

You can continue to support your child’s learning throughout their school years and beyond. You understand how your child learns and can reinforce school learning by talking with them about their day, asking what they are learning, and helping with homework as they get older. It is important, though, that your child takes an active part in their own learning, so offer help without creating dependence.

Raising concerns#

If you are concerned about something at your child’s school, it is best to address it as soon as possible. Schools are usually open to feedback and just as keen as you to stop a situation getting worse, and they should respond in a way that respects your child and family’s privacy.

• For an issue or incident at school, talk to the relevant teacher first.
• For an issue about your child’s program, raise it first at a support group meeting.
• For concerns about teachers or other staff, speak with the principal.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can contact the relevant education authority for your area.

Key points#

• Going to school is an exciting and important time in your child’s development.
• Planning for primary school should ideally begin in your child’s early years.
• Speaking with your child’s early childhood teacher is a good place to start the transition to primary school.
• Specialist schools may offer a more limited range of subjects than a mainstream school.
• Class sizes at specialist schools are usually smaller, and many also have therapists on staff.

Where to get help#