Inclusive Education

In 2025, BNWPS (and other schools in our area) will be undergoing a shift in funding for students who have a disability, or those who require additional support to access the classroom learning program. This change will be a part of the new Disability Inclusion Framework (DIF) implementation. 

To help prepare our community for this shift this year, as well as establishing Student Support Groups (SSGs) for students who are funded under the PSD (Program for Students with Disabilities), we will also be arranging SSGs for students who require considerable adjustments to the curriculum or environment so that they can successfully participate in learning. 

What is an SSG?

An SSG is a group that meets to share a child’s strengths and challenges, and collaborates to establish goals as well as strategies to support achieving the goal. SSGs can consist of classroom teachers, parents and caregivers, other adults from within the school community who support a child and allied health professionals. Each SSG is different depending on a child’s needs. SSGs for students funded under PSD will have a member of school leadership (or nominee) in attendance. SSGs for students who require modifications but are not funded through the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) will not have a member of Leadership present. 

Who will have an SSG?

In determining those children who require an SSG, teachers will reference the data collected in 2023 through the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD). This data identifies the students requiring an adjustment, the category and the level of adjustment they need. For a student to be considered for an SSG, teachers need to be making supplementary, substantial or extensive adjustments to the curriculum or environment. More information on the NCCD can be found here. 

When will the new SSGs meet?

Teachers are currently in the process of identifying the students in their class for whom they will establish an SSG and will contact parents and caregivers to set-up the first SSG meeting. If you are invited to join an SSG, these meetings will take place in weeks 2 and 3 of this term, on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.  SSGs will run each term.

As we embark on this process, there are certain to be many questions. If you would like further information please contact  emma.mallia@education.vic.gov.au