Support from external providers

The primary purpose of schools, under the Education Act 1990, is to deliver the curriculum to all students. 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.

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.

What does external provider support mean?

External provider support means getting extra help for your child from people who are not part of our school. This can include:

· Assessments or checks – such as speech or occupational therapy

· Special tutoring or learning programs – run by trained professionals outside our school

· Health services – like counselling or medical support we cannot give internally

· Agency support – help with behaviour, language or social development

This support works with what our school already provides, to meet your child’s needs.

Availability

To meet curriculum requirements and ensure the best interests of the student and school, once approved external providers may only attend Bateau Bay Public School during the following times (school term only, Monday to Friday):

9:50 – 10:50 (1 hour)

10:20 – 10:50 (30 minutes)

12:30 -1:30 (1 hour)

1:00 -1:30 (30 minutes)

2:15 – 2:45 (30 minutes)

It remains the responsibility of parents and caregivers to advise providers if their child will be absent from school or if there is a school activity on the day of support.

How the process works for parents and carers

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 learning activities,
the extent to which their 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.

Step 1. Parent or carer request

Parents or carers complete our External Provider - parent/carer request form.

Parent Request Form

Step 2. School meeting

The school will contact you within 2 weeks to organise a meeting to discuss your application either via face to face meeting or phone call.

Step 3. Review

The Learning and Support Team (LST) considers your request, taking into account the needs of your child, other students and the operations of the school

Step 4. Approval

The school lets you know via email whether the principal has approved the service or not the provider can deliver their services at the school. You can then contact your provider to tell them they can now contact the school to complete the required process.

Your role in the process

Parents help this process run smoothly by:

· Making the external provider request in writing to our school after approval from the principal

· Letting providers know if their child will be away or if there is a school event on that day.

For more information on accessing external provider support, see our Parents and carers external provider factsheet.

Requirements for external providers

External providers must meet all NSW Department of Education requirements before working with our school. Providers can not contact the school until the service has been approved by the principal.

They must:

Step 1. After school approval

External providers must complete and provide documentation after the school has met with the family and approved visits:

Complete the External Provider form and Externally Funded Service Providers Agreement

External providers must:

Follow the NSW Department of Education's policies on equity, inclusion, and child wellbeing
Compliance with relevant laws and policies, including child protection and privacy
Complete child protection training every year.

See External provider information sheet and checklist for all details.

External providers must have:

Appropriate insurance coverage
A valid Working with Children Check (WWCC)
All necessary qualifications and experience

See External provider information sheet and checklist External provider information sheet and checklist for all details.

Step 2. School Induction

Once all paperwork has been received and approved we will contact you to complete a school-based induction. You will need to familiarise yourself with the department's Code of Conduct and Controversial Issues in Schools Policy and Guidelines (insert links)

Step 3. Support visit

External provider visits school at time and date of support and provides proof of identification to admin staff before support starts.

After each session providers must complete a Therapy Update Form

Therapy Update Form

for disclosure of information between contractor and school.

Step 4. Review

External provider visits will be reviewed at the end of each semester.