Requesting access to students and agreements with schools

The NSW Department of Education recognises that externally funded service providers have a role in delivering services to children and young people with additional health, disability and wellbeing needs that support their participation in school. In some circumstances it may be appropriate for these services to be delivered at school.

The department has established processes to support schools to meet legislative and policy requirements when considering whether to grant access to an externally funded provider to deliver its services to students on school premises and during school hours.

Decisions around whether to provide access to externally funded providers are a matter for the school principal, based on whether it is in the best educational interests of the student, and considering the school’s duty of care towards all staff and students. Principals have discretion to grant or not grant school access to an external provider, taking into consideration:

the impact of the service on curriculum requirements and the student’s participation in teaching and learning activities,
the extent to which the service supports the student’s learning needs or enhances access to education,
the impact of the service on other students and/or the operations of the school.

Schools will not assess the professional skills of therapy providers or evaluate their accreditation. However, if the school has concerns about the service being delivered to your child, the school will discuss these concerns with you.

Before services begin

Before a provider can deliver a service to students in a school, the provider must demonstrate that it has the necessary checks, protections and training in place. These include completing in the last year the department’s Mandatory Child Protection Training, or a suitable alternative training program delivered by the provider for its staff. A school may also require provider staff to have completed specific health training based on the nature of the service, the level of direct supervision of the provider’s activities at the school or where relevant to the child or young person’s specific health care needs (e.g. first aid, CPR, ASCIA anaphylaxis training).

How do you ask for Externally Funded Service Providers support at school?

If you want your child to receive Externally Funded Service Providers support at school, you need to ask the school in writing. The school might need to organise a meeting or ask you to complete the forms: Parent/Carer Request for Externally Funded Service Providers and Authority to Exchange Information. The school considers the request, taking into account the needs of your child, other students and the operations of the school. If you are seeking further information please visit: https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/teaching-and-learning/disability-learning-and-support/ndis/external-providers/External_Providers_Information_for_Parents.docx

Request for Externally Funded Service Providers

Woodberry Public School