Disability Inclusion at Tarneit
Hello, from the Disability Inclusion Team. This is the first in a series of information pieces on Disability Inclusion or DI at Tarneit Senior and the common themes we see at our school in this space.
Who?
At Tarneit Senior we have a team of staff to support our students which includes:
- Jessica Jacobsen – Assistant Principal – Inclusive Practice
- Ria Schimanski – Inclusion Leader
- Sharon Mayne – Inclusion Coordinator
- As well as a team of 7 Learning Support Aides in our classrooms.
What is DI?
Tarneit is now in its 2nd year of the new model of support for students with disability and learning needs. It is called Disability Inclusion. As of 2025, the entire state is using this model of support which is designed to better fund schools to develop programs, training and employ staff to meet the needs of students.
While the process is called Disability Inclusion, students do not need to have a diagnosis to qualify. Funding is allocated based on the needs of the student as identified by the school staff.
Students’ needs are categorized as either Tier 2 or Tier 3. Tier 3 students and their families participate in a process called a Disability Inclusion Plan (DIP) in which staff at Tarneit Senior College outline in detail the adjustments they are making across the school to support the learning and participation of that student. We present our documentation in the meeting chaired by external facilitator of the Disability Inclusion Facilitator service. If successful, the school receives additional funding to continue that support.
Support at Tarneit:
Every year based on our Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD), which all schools Australia-wide process, schools are allocated funding to support students with additional needs. This amount varies depending on that data and the amount the state government has allocated to education in that election. This funding is used for variety of supports that all students benefit from including, but not limited to, access to the education support staff in classrooms, intervention and support programs and upskilling staff with training, and coaching.
How can you help?
Notify the school of any diagnoses, additional diagnoses outside what you have already provided, external supports reports such as occupational therapists or paediatricians, or concerns you may have for your child’s learning progress.
If you think your child/ren meets the criteria for Tier 3, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s year level leader and they will get the process started with the Inclusion Team.
Read our newsletter for updates and more information on different learning needs.
Further information: https://www.vic.gov.au/disability-inclusion-education-in-practice
-Jessica Jacobsen
Assistant Principal, Inclusive Practice