Support At School - Accessing Funding

Disclaimer: This information sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

A student's return to school following a brain injury can be a challenging time for the student, family and school but it is an important part of the rehabilitation process. To assist in making this return to school as positive as possible, a student may require additional assistance in the classroom or playground to assist with their safety, learning, mobility, social or behavioural skills.

NSW Public Schools

The NSW Department of Education & Training provides a range of specialised educational support services for students with difficulties in mainstream schools, such as assistance from the School Counsellor or Special Teacher Learning Difficulties. Additionally, if a student has an identified disability that impacts upon a there participation at school, the school can make an application to the Department of Education & Training for integration supports funding.

There is no particular disability category for children with acquired brain injury and so students with an acquired brain injury may apply under one of the following categories; intellectual or physical disability, hearing or vision impairment, emotional disturbance or significant language disability. If none of these categories applies to a student with an acquired brain injury, then the school can make a request under a `special case consideration' to the Department.

Parents are an integral part of this application process. An annual Individual Education Program meeting is held with school staff and parents to discuss a student's learning needs. The Brain Injury Service can provide medical and therapy reports (with parental consent) or a representative from the Rehabilitation team can attend this school meeting to assist in the application process.

Applications are usually due in Term 3 of the school year for the following year. However, if a student has an accident or illness at other times during the year, the school can apply once it is known when the child will return to school. Schools are notified of the success of an application in Term 4.

How is the funding used to support a student?

While allocation of funds is made specifically for individual students, there is some flexibility for schools to determine how the funds are used. It is the responsibility of the school principal to determine the best way of allocating the funding and parents and the school should negotiate this. Integration funding can be used to:

• Employ a teacher aide to work in the classroom
• Pay for teachers or aides to attend special training courses
• Pay school staff to coordinate the student's educational program.

Can Parents Make an Appeal?

Yes. If parents have concerns about the outcome of the application, they should discuss this with the school principal and an appeal can be lodged.

Funding in Independent, and Catholic Schools

For students who attend an independent or catholic school and require additional support for their participation, the school can apply for Commonwealth funding under the Special Education Component. A similar process of making an application under a specific disability category can occur.

Other Sources of Funding

If a child sustained their brain injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident and has a Compulsory Third Party Claim, the Brain Injury Service can assist with making a request to the insurance company to assist in paying for teacher aide support. The family should discuss this with the doctor or case manager.

Teacher's Aides

When integration funding has been received by the school, the school in conjunction with the family determines how and when it is used. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is written with the parents and rehabilitation staff. The funds may be used to employ a teacher's aide. The teacher's aide may also work with other children in the school. A teacher's aide generally has no teaching credential.

The teacher's aide is responsible to the classroom teacher and the school executive. The teacher's aide may work 1:1 with the child or in a group setting in the classroom. The child may also be withdrawn from the classroom. The teacher's aide may also assist in physical needs such as toiletting, feeding or therapy programs.

Rehabilitation Department The Children's Hospital at Westmead Cnr Hawkesbury Rd & Hainsworth St, Westmead Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, 2145 Tel: (02) 9845 2132 - Fax: (02) 9845 0685 http://www.chw.edu.au/rehabilitation/