Summary
- Schools are encouraged to support students and their parents/carers in exercising a level of choice and control with their NDIS supports at school where it is safe and practical to do so.
- The department has produced guidelines for Victorian government schools related to requests for the delivery of funded therapy in schools.
- Ultimately, the decision to allow funded therapists to conduct therapy on school grounds rests with the principal.
- The supports funded by the NDIS are related to the student’s functional whole-of-life support needs, and not for educational purposes. The responsibility for supports for educational attainment remains with the education system. For information about supports for the inclusion of students with disability in government schools please refer to the Students with Disability policy.
You may want your child’s NDIS therapist to work with them while they are at school, for example to:
- observe your child in the classroom or in the school environment
- attend a student support group meeting, to monitor and tailor the support they provide to your child
- deliver your child’s therapy at school in person or virtually.
The principal will decide if it’s safe and practical for your child to have NDIS therapy at school. They’ll consider:
- your child’s individual circumstances
- whether having NDIS therapy at school will affect your child’s learning
- the safety of all students
- where NDIS therapy can take place.
If you make a request for NDIS therapy at school:
- You need to discuss your request with the principal.
- You need to complete a consent form and a request form.
- The principal will decide whether to approve your request and will let you know.
- If approved, a meeting will be held to discuss practical arrangements. This will include you, the school and your child’s therapist.
If your request is approved your child’s therapist will also need to sign relevant forms and work agreements with the school. These agreements apply to anyone carrying out private business on school grounds. They do not relate to the NDIS service agreement between you and your child’s therapist.
You will be responsible for letting your child’s therapist know:
- the agreed times and conditions for therapy
- occasions when therapy cannot take place. This may be because your child is absent or other school activities are taking place.
You will also be responsible for letting the school know:
- if your child stops getting therapy or you change therapy providers
- how therapy is going.
If your child is getting NDIS therapy they can still use the school therapy programs. Programs may include:
- the visiting teacher service
- student support services.
The department has prepared guidelines to assist parents and carers and therapists to understand the issues a school must consider when responding to these requests, and the process for making a request.
These guidelines are available on the department’s Policy and Advisory Library. See: NDIS funded therapy in schools.
If you have any questions regarding NDIS funded therapy at Rowellyn Park PS, please call 9782 0953 or email 5313-therapybookings@schools.vic.edu.au.
