NDIS FUNDED THERAPY AND SCHOOLS CONTENTS Introduction 3 the NDIS 3 Key considerations for schools 4 Making a Request 7 Parent(s)/carer(s) role 9 Further information 9 Introduction The Department of Education and Training (the Department) supports National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, their families and carers to make the most of the benefits offered by the NDIS. This includes schools providing general information about the NDIS or providing copies of school reports that may assist with NDIS access and planning processes. Victorian Government schools are also encouraged to support students and their parent(s) or carer(s) in exercising a level of choice and control with their NDIS supports at school where it is safe and practical to do so. For example, may request that an NDIS funded therapist: observes child in the classroom or in the school environment; or attends a Student Support Group meeting, to monitor and tailor the support they provide to their child. In most cases, the school can support both these requests. Parent(s)/carer(s) may also consider making a request for their child’s NDIS funded therapist to deliver therapy regularly at school. These requests can raise some practical, legal, and educational issues for schools that require careful consideration. The decision to approve these requests rests with the school principal in consultation with the School Council. The Department has prepared these guidelines to give families and NDIS funded therapists information on the process for making a request, and the factors that a school must consider when assessing the request.
NDIS FUNDED THERAPY AND SCHOOLS CONTENTS Introduction 3 the NDIS 3 Key considerations for schools 4 Making a Request 7 Parent(s)/carer(s) role 9 Further information 9 Introduction The Department of Education and Training (the Department) supports National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, their families and carers to make the most of the benefits offered by the NDIS. This includes schools providing general information about the NDIS or providing copies of school reports that may assist with NDIS access and planning processes. Victorian Government schools are also encouraged to support students and their parent(s) or carer(s) in exercising a level of choice and control with their NDIS supports at school where it is safe and practical to do so. For example, may request that an NDIS funded therapist: observes child in the classroom or in the school environment; or attends a Student Support Group meeting, to monitor and tailor the support they provide to their child. In most cases, the school can support both these requests. Parent(s)/carer(s) may also consider making a request for their child’s NDIS funded therapist to deliver therapy regularly at school. These requests can raise some practical, legal, and educational issues for schools that require careful consideration. The decision to approve these requests rests with the school principal in consultation with the School Council. The Department has prepared these guidelines to give families and NDIS funded therapists information on the process for making a request, and the factors that a school must consider when assessing the request.
NDISfundedtherapyschools.docx