DOCUMENT 18
FOI 24/25-0380
Research Request – Learning Supports for children with a
disability in public and catholic school system
Investigation into support available in the Catholic and public school systems
Brief
for a child with a learning impairment in particular funding for specific
programs in this case the Arrowsmith program.
Date
07/12/2020
Requester
S47F -
(Director – TAB)
Personal
Researcher
S47F -
(Research Team Leader – TAB)
Personal
Contents
The Arrowsmith Program ........................................................................................................................ 3
Victoria ................................................................................................................................................ 3
New South Wales ................................................................................................................................ 3
Queensland ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Western Australia ............................................................................................................................... 4
Funding support in public and catholic school systems ......................................................................... 4
ACT .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Public School System .......................................................................................................................... 4
Catholic Education .............................................................................................................................. 5
NSW ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
Public School System .......................................................................................................................... 5
Catholic Education .............................................................................................................................. 7
NT ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
Public School System .......................................................................................................................... 7
Catholic Education .............................................................................................................................. 8
Queensland ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Public School System .......................................................................................................................... 9
Catholic Education ............................................................................................................................ 10
South Australia ...................................................................................................................................... 11
Public School System ........................................................................................................................ 11
Catholic Education ............................................................................................................................ 11
Tasmania ............................................................................................................................................... 12
Public School System ........................................................................................................................ 12
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Catholic Education ............................................................................................................................ 13
Victoria .................................................................................................................................................. 13
Public School System ........................................................................................................................ 13
Catholic Education ............................................................................................................................ 14
Western Australia ................................................................................................................................. 14
Public School System ........................................................................................................................ 14
Catholic Education ............................................................................................................................ 15
Please note:
The research and literature reviews collated by our TAB Research Team are not to be shared
external to the Branch. These are for internal TAB use only and are intended to assist our advisors
with their reasonable and necessary decision making.
Delegates have access to a wide variety of comprehensive guidance material. If Delegates require
further information on access or planning matters they are to call the TAPS line for advice.
The Research Team are unable to ensure that the information listed below provides an accurate &
up‐to‐date snapshot of these matters
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The Arrowsmith Program
The Arrowsmith Program is one of a number of commercial programs developed by learning
consultants. It is offered to schools as resources to assist schools to meet their educational
responsibilities according to the curriculum offered. Like many others, the Arrowsmith Program
offers a structured range of progressive tasks that support a student towards automaticity in
learning tasks.
The Arrowsmith program is not funded by the State and Territories or the Catholic Education system.
Schools choose to adopt the program and offer it to parents at an additional fee (see costs below).
Below is a list of schools and ‘centres’ listed on the Arrowsmith website who have adopted the
program.
Victoria
Brain Athletics
St Catherine’s Primary School
Oakleigh Grammar School
New South Wales
3Bridges Community
Sydney Catholic Schools
CoreSenses | Awakening Capabilities
Queensland
Blackheath and Thornburgh College
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Darling Downs Christian School
Brisbane Boys College
Silkwood School
Empowering Lives
The Southport School
Western Australia
Cognitive Strengthening Centre
Funding support in public and catholic school systems
Each State and Territory delivers different programs and resources to assist students with a
disability. Most commonly, funding is provided at a regional/whole school level, rather than a
specific amount for each individual student. Schools make the decision on how this funding is used.
The States and Territories clearly state what programs and services are available for students with
learning difficulties and how to apply for assistance.
The Catholic education system provides little information about what services they offer. Most
direct enquires to individual diocese or schools for information on obtaining additional assistance.
ACT
Public School System
The ACT education department provides a range of programs and supports for students from
preschool to year 12 who meet the ACT Student Disability Criteria.
Student Centred Appraisal of Need
When a student is eligible for Disability Education support, their needs will be assessed in a Student
Centred Appraisal of Need (The Appraisal). The Appraisal meeting is held once the student has
commenced in the disability program. The meeting determines the extent of the student's needs at
their school, in a variety of areas including communication, mobility, personal care and safety, social
development and curriculum.
Individual Learning Plans
An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is developed for all students who access Disability Education
support. The plan is developed within the school in collaboration with families and other support
staff. The ILP outlines agreed goals and strategies to support your child to access the school
curriculum.
Programs and supports offered
Support at Preschool (SAP)
program works with schools to support the inclusion of children with
developmental delay and disability in their preschool year. SAP support is provided to schools where
substantial or extensive adjustments are required to support the child in the play‐based preschool
program.
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Hearing and Vision support is provided for students from preschool to year 12. Specialist staff work
with the child’s school and other involved services to support the student’s access to the curriculum.
Inclusion Support Program (ISP)
provides additional resourcing to schools to facilitate reasonable
adjustments to meet the needs of students at their local school from kindergarten to year 12.
Specialist Schools (SS) provide educational programs for students with high and complex needs who
have a moderate to profound intellectual disability or Autism.
Small group programs are provided at a range of public schools across the ACT for students from
kindergarten to year 12:
Learning Support Centres (LSC)
LSCs are small group programs for students with a significant learning delay, a mild
intellectual disability or who meet the ACT Student Disability Criteria for Autism. They are
located in various primary schools, high schools and colleges.
Learning Support Units (LSU)
LSUs are small group programs located in primary schools, high schools and colleges.
Students must meet the ACT Student Disability Criteria for Intellectual Disability or Autism to
be eligible for a placement in these programs. They are located in various primary schools,
high schools and colleges.
Learning Support Units Autism (LSUA)
LSU‐As are small group programs located in primary and high schools for students who meet
the ACT Student Disability criteria for Autism. They are located in various primary schools
and high schools.
P‐10 School Disability Program
These schools provide a range of flexible programs and supports to meet the needs of
students living in their Priority Enrolment Area, who are eligible to access LSU and LSUA
programs, from the time of their enrolment through to their transition to year 11.
Catholic Education
Unable to locate any information on what support is offered to students with a disability who attend
a Catholic school in the ACT.
NSW
Public School System
The NSW Education Department provides a ‘personalised learning and support,’ which is a process
that supports a wide range of students with additional learning and support needs.
Personalised learning and support is underpinned by evidence of four key elements or areas of
activity:
The assessed individual education needs of the student
The provision of adjustments or support to meet the students' assessed needs
Monitoring and review of the impact of the adjustment or support being provided for the
student
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Consultation and collaboration – of teachers with parents, support staff and other
professionals where required.
Programs and services
Learning and support
Every mainstream NSW public school has a learning and support resources package (also known as
low level adjustment for disability) that gives the school a specialist teacher and an allocation of
flexible funding as part of the school budget.
Integration funding support
Integration Funding Support helps schools to provide adjustments for students with disability in
mainstream classes who have moderate to high learning and support needs – as defined by the
Department's disability criteria.
Funding is used:
for additional teachers and school learning support officers to assist with personalised
learning and support for students in their own classrooms
to provide relief for classroom teachers to undertake professional learning and to plan
adjustments with parents and carers and other school staff
Most students with disability and additional learning and support needs can be supported through
resources at their local school, allocated through a learning and support resource package as part of
the school budget.
Integration Funding Support is only considered when a school learning and support team determines
that:
additional resources are required to develop and provide adjustments to personalise
learning and support
extra teacher and/or school learning support officer time is the most appropriate resource
Itinerant support teachers
Itinerant support teachers visit schools and other approved educational centres to help support
students and young children with confirmed disability.
Itinerant support teachers work directly with students and in partnership with the school's learning
and support team, parents and carers, and other support agencies to plan personalised learning and
support.
Specialist support classes in mainstream schools
Specialist support classes located in some mainstream primary schools, high school and central
schools across NSW are available for students with moderate to high learning and support needs ‐ as
defined by the Department's disability criteria.
Specialist support classes cater for students with moderate to high learning and support needs
including students with:
intellectual disability
mental health issues
autism
physical disability
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sensory impairment
Behaviour disorders
Specialist support classes in mainstream schools have fewer students than mainstream classes. Class
sizes depend on the class type and, in some cases, the students' additional learning and support
needs.
Every specialist class has a teacher and a school learning support officer. Class teachers ‐ in
consultation with parents and carers and allied health professionals, where appropriate ‐ are
responsible for planning personalised learning and support for each student.
Catholic Education
The Catholic Schools NSW website doesn’t explicitly state what support is provided to students with
a disability. It mentions that all schools adhere to the Disability Standards for Education (DSE) 2005.
All teachers undertake the DSE e‐learning module to ensure that students with disability are able to
access and participate in education
on the same basis as other students.
NSW Centre for Effective Reading
The NSW Centre for Effective Reading is a joint NSW Department of Education and NSW Health
initiative.
The Centre provides direct assessment and intervention services for students in rural and remote
primary schools who are experiencing complex reading difficulties, professional learning and
resources for teachers and other key participants and undertakes research and development in the
area of complex reading difficulties.
NT
Public School System
The Northern Territory Department of Education provides various support services including
specialist education advisors, specialised equipment and resources.
The range of support services available cover all of the following:
autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
counselling
disability
early childhood intervention
hearing
psychology
transition from school
vision
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Support at school
Disability advisors can assist in developing support strategies for your child to promote equitable
access and participation in education.
Disability advisors can provide all of the following:
information on how to manage your child's disability
information on the range of support available
working with you and your child's school to identify access needs and appropriate
adjustments to curriculum delivery, so that your child can access programs on the same
basis as their peers
support a student's transition between schools
Catholic Education
The Catholic Education NT Diocese of Darwin have developed a students with disabilities policy. The
policy statements include:
Identification, Referral and Assessment
Schools have the responsibility to follow the recommended procedures for the
identification, referral and assessment of students with disabilities (ISSF).
Additional resource allocation will be considered provided that the provision of the
additional resources does not constitute unjustifiable hardship.
In the event of a dispute about the specific needs of a student, a review by an independent
and appropriately qualified third party may be sought.
Educational Options
This policy, in recognition of the assessed needs of students with disabilities, supports the
commitment to providing high levels of consultative and additional support.
Quality educational outcomes can be optimised through:
o provision of all relevant information to families, guardians and/or caregivers to
enable them to come to a timely decision on the best options, and to actively
support them in that decision
o a range of educational options to provide for the learning and curriculum needs of
students
Available Educational Options
Inclusion in Regular Classrooms with Consultative Support
This type of provision is appropriate for students with disabilities who can successfully participate in
all or most classroom activities, with minimal intervention. The Principal may seek guidance,
advisory and/or therapy consultative support from specialist personnel.
Inclusion in Regular Classrooms with Additional Support
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In order for some students with disabilities to achieve quality outcomes in their regular class,
additional support may be needed. This support may be given from a special education support
teacher, advisory personnel, teacher assistant or an inclusion support assistant.
Inclusion in Regular Classrooms with Withdrawal Support
Some students with disabilities may receive support from staff within the regular classroom and on a
withdrawal basis. This may include a special education support teacher, advisory personnel, teacher
assistant or an inclusion support assistant. The support may be short term, transitional or long term.
Queensland
Public School System
The Queensland Government provides various funding and programs at a school/regional level
rather than providing funding for individual students.
Support services and resources
Targeted resources are provided to schools to assist them so that they can address the diverse
learning needs of their students. Additional targeted resources are provided either directly to
schools or to regions. The department provides resourcing directly to schools to allow greater
flexibility, and to enable schools to explore innovative ways to tailor programs to maximise students'
potential. These resources are, in addition to the classroom teachers and general teacher aide time,
already allocated to schools. Schools are also able to request access to a range of specialist services.
The department supports school autonomy and believes that decisions about the needs of students
are best placed at the school level, by professionals who know their students. Direct to school
resourcing is delivered through a number of models:
Whole School Support—Student Learning Resource (WSS‐SLR)
Education Adjustment Program (EAP)
Targeted funding is not allocated directly to students. Schools are allocated the resources, with
principals responsible for supporting the educational programs of all students with disability in their
school.
Other funding to assist students with disability includes Investing for Success.
Targeted intervention and other support services
Regions and schools provide a continuum of support and services for students with disability
and learning difficulties. This may include:
guidance officers
support teachers (literacy and numeracy)
speech‐language pathologists
behaviour support teachers
English as an additional language or dialect
Auslan support
nurses
teacher aides
chaplains
assistive technology
alternative format materials
special provision for assessment
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other supports available at the school level as determined by the school
Students who meet EAP criteria may also have access to:
specialist teachers (disability specific)
physiotherapists
occupational therapists
state‐wide services for students with vision impairment
In addition, schools have access to regional inclusion coaches, autism coaches, mental health
coaches, principal advisors' student protection and advisory visiting teachers specialising in hearing,
physical or vision impairment. Regions may also provide other support services to meet local
context.
Catholic Education
Students with disability program (SWD)
All Queensland schools are required to adhere to the
Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and
the
Disability Standards for Education 2005. All schools must therefore make reasonable
adjustments to ensure students with disability are able to participate in education on the same basis
as students without disability.
The purpose and objectives of the SWD program are to:
support the education of students with disability in non‐state schools
promote the educational outcomes of these students
Target group – eligibility
Students with disability who are eligible for support under the program are those who meet
the Queensland criteria used by all 3 education sectors, including students with:
autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
hearing impairment (HI)
intellectual disability (ID)
physical impairment (PI)
speech–language impairment (SLI)
vision impairment (VI)
An additional category of disability is also eligible for support in non‐state schools only:
social emotional disorder (SED)
Students with temporary medical conditions, or long‐term episodic conditions such as epilepsy, are
not eligible to receive support under this program.
Use of funds
The funds are to be used to support eligible students through:
the improvement of in school resourcing for students with disability. In school support may
include: teacher aide time, professional development for teachers working with students
with disability, purchase of external support services (including therapists and other
specialist support), the purchase of specialised equipment and resources for the student
and/or their teachers
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the provision of centralised or regionalised services to support students with disability
South Australia
Public School System
Children with special needs or a disability may be eligible for additional support through the
South Australia Department of Education at primary and high school through a range of
internal and external options, including:
year level classes
special classes located within schools
disability units located within schools
special schools located in stand‐alone specialised settings
A referral from the student’s current school is required before special education options can be
explored.
Special Education Resource Unit
The Special Education Resource Unit (SERU) provides a range of learning and teaching materials and
specialised services which support children and students with disabilities and learning difficulties
such as:
equipment for use in schools
special supports for children at school
resources and publications
A negotiated education plan (NEP) or learning plan is a learning support plan that describes the
support that will be provided.
Support with education and to explore future opportunities
The Better Pathways Program helps students remain engaged with school and successfully transition
to their chosen post school options.
The program was designed to improve engagement, transition and post‐school outcomes for young
people with:
disabilities
learning difficulties
mental health issues
complex needs
Catholic Education
Catholic Education South Australia has developed an Enrolment and Support Process (ESP) to
identify any additional needs a child with a disability may have in the school setting.
When an Enrolment and Support Process is required.
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the Principal informs the Special Education Consultant from the Catholic Education Office
information about the student’s needs is gathered, analysed and discussed by the Special
Education Consultant, parents or legal guardians, Principal and relevant school staff
Information about the adjustments, support and resources required as well as training and
development for school staff are collated and forwarded to the Senior Education Adviser at
the Catholic Education Office
Following advice from the Catholic Education Office the Principal communicates with the
parents or legal guardians regarding the next steps in the enrolment and transition process.
Continuing Support and Transition
An Individual Education Plan for the student is developed. This includes:
Information about the student
Reasonable adjustments or accommodations required
Ongoing monitoring of the student’s needs
Evaluation of the student’s program and regular case reviews.
The school works with the parents or legal guardians and Special Education Consultant in this
process. School personnel, parents or legal guardians and specialised support providers work
together at points of transition. If requested, the Special Education Consultant provides information
to the parents or legal guardians,
regarding other schooling options.
Tasmania
Public School System
The Tasmanian Department of Education provides support for students with disability across
‘resourcing for schools’ and ‘specialist services’.
Resourcing for schools
Funding is used to make educational adjustments to teaching and learning programs to ensure
students with disability can participate and engage in quality educational programs. A large
component of this is individually targeted funding for students with disability aligned to meeting the
needs defined within student Learning Plans.
There are centrally funded programs to provide assistance for students with disability with
information on eligibility and referral at the links below:
Transport Assistance
Minor access works and building modifications
Assistive technology
Provision of Specialist Equipment
Consultative Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Program
Mediation and Liaison Services
The following specialist services to support students with a disability are also available:
Autism consultants
Consultative physiotherapy and occupational therapy in school
Hearing services
Inclusion and access coordinators
Mediation and liaison service
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Respectful schools support team
School psychologist
Social workers
Speech pathologists
Student wellbeing
Support teachers
Vision services
Catholic Education
Tasmanian Catholic schools and colleges have access to a centralised Student Support Services to
deliver appropriate support to students with additional needs and/or disabilities. A range of
expertise, personnel, and resources are provided to support all students' access to and participation
in learning. Each school provides a range of pastoral care and well‐being programs and strategies
designed to assist and support our students and families.
Victoria
Public School System
The Victoria Education Department has a range of programs and resources to assist students with a
disability. This includes the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD).
The PSD gives government schools extra funding to help them support students with disability and
high needs.
Schools use the funding in different ways, depending on the needs of each child.
This can include:
specialist staff, such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech pathologists
specialist equipment like assistive technology
training for teachers so they know more about your child’s disability or additional needs
specialist teachers
education support staff such as teacher aides
PSD funding is available for schools who are supporting children with disability and high needs.
There are seven categories of eligibility criteria.
Physical disability
Visual impairment
Hearing impairment
Severe behaviour disorder
Intellectual disability
Autism
Severe language difficulties and critical education needs
If the individual student is assessed as not being eligible for PSD funding a student support group can
be set up. A student support group gives you the opportunity to work with your child’s school to
make decisions about their education and check their progress.
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The group includes:
You – as your child’s parent or carer
the teacher or teachers who have responsibility for your child
the school principal or a nominee – for example, the assistant principal
At the meetings, you may work with the rest of the group to:
consider your child’s learning needs and views
make an individual education plan for your child
plan reasonable adjustments to support your child's participation
plan your child’s personal or medical care at school
plan transitions – for example, from primary to secondary school
check your child's progress
Student Resource Package
Schools also get funding through the Student Resource Package for every child. This funding is
provided so that schools can meet the needs of all students. The Student Resource Package includes
the Language and Learning Disabilities Program funding.
They also have access to student support services such as:
speech pathologists
psychologists
visiting teachers
social workers
Catholic Education
Catholic schools in Victoria provide a range of student support services to assist students with
additional learning needs.
To obtain further information about these programs and services the local diocesan Catholic
education office or your child’s school needs to be contacted. No information on these ‘support
services’ could be sourced online.
Western Australia
Public School System
The Western Australian Department of Education will develop a support team for all children found
to have special educational needs or a learning disability. The support team includes the
parents/carer and may include the child’s teacher, principal, school psychologist, medical
practitioners and specialist service providers.
Together, the support services and programs that are right for the child are determined, ensuring
they receive the best education and support available, tailored to their unique needs.
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School staff will develop an individual education plan. This plan is written specifically for each child
to address their academic and personal needs. All staff working with the child at school will use the
plan.
Student Centred funding model
Public school funding is allocated to schools based on the learning needs of students and school
characteristics. It delivers funding for each student enrolled and additional funding for students
needing extra support.
The objectives of the funding model are to:
allocate resources based on the learning needs of students
ensure funding is responsive to the needs of individual schools and their students
increase flexibility for principals in relation to financial and workforce management decisions
provide a simple and transparent funding mechanism
Education support school
Specialist schools for children from the beginning of Kindergarten to the final year of their schooling.
Students have access to multi‐disciplinary teams including nursing and therapy staff. Specialist
teachers and support staff to ensure appropriate and responsive learning in a safe and accessible
environment.
Education support centres
Located alongside primary and secondary schools. In addition to the individualised programs
delivered by specialist staff, students benefit by interacting and participating in programs with their
mainstream school peers.
Catholic Education
Catholic Education Western Australia is committed to embedding inclusive practices in all school
environments for students with disability and additional needs.
Students with disability who are enrolled in a Catholic school receive assistance through a range of
options including, among others:
individualised learning plans
access to specialised programs, resources and equipment
small group or individual instruction
teacher assistant support
Education Support Centres have been established in designated primary and secondary Catholic
schools for students with disability whose educational needs require the provision of additional
support and resources. This includes special education teacher/s and additional teacher assistants,
as well as specialised resources and facilities. The centres offer educational service provision for
children whose disability might limit their ability to gain access to the regular curriculum without
specialist support. Depending on individual needs and abilities, some students will receive the major
part of their academic program in the Education Support Centre while others will spend the majority
of their time in regular classes with varying levels of support.
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