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Video transcript.
Hi, I’m Fiona Sharkie, CEO of Amaze.
Like me I’m sure you’re coming to terms with the Premier’s announcement of Stage 4 restrictions on Sunday and adjusting to new rules for the next six weeks.
Amaze has been in communication with the government – Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services – since Sunday to bring you as much information as possible.
Return of Remote and Flexible Learning at Home
In relation to schools, Stage 4 is different to Stage 3 where all students with disability had the choice to go to school or learn from home.
The focus has now shifted from providing education, to minimizing people circulating in the community and transmitting the virus, so remote and flexible learning at home will be re-implemented. There will be far less on site school attendance.
However, unlike in term 2 there are many more remote learning activities designed specifically for students with disabilities that teachers in mainstream and special schools can access at fuse.education.vic.gov.au. [https://fuse.education.vic.gov.au/Pages/inclusion-support]
Teachers and education support staff will be also be required to provide 1 to 1 video conferencing and support for students with disabilities including SSG meetings and adjustments to ILP’s. Autistic students who do not receive PSD funding will also be supported.
School staff
Mainstream and special schools in Melbourne metropolitan area will be open, but not all school staff will be at school – only those who are ‘willing and able’ to attend.
Regardless of how many staff are on site, schools are required to be open to support students who are :
– Vulnerable – in family violence, child protection, living out of home or in kinship care.
– Have mental health conditions.
Plus a new category of Students with disability who are in families experiencing ‘severe stress’. There is no definition or criteria of ‘severe stress’, nor will families be required to provide proof of their ‘severe stress’ and schools will make their own judgement.
This may mean that families experiencing ‘severe stress’ may be able to send students with disabilities to school 2-3 days a week, or send siblings of children with disabilities to school to relieve some pressure at home.
NDIS
In relation to the NDIS, we are seeking more information from the NDIA about additional support for students with disabilities who are NDIS participants. We have been advised NDIA has commenced proactively calling school aged NDIS participants with complex needs, to offer more support in their plan.
We encourage you to call the NDIS helpline to seek further support to help you through the lock down period. Support workers are considered an essential service. Whilst the NDIA does not provide educational assistance per se, support workers can support your child’s disability-related needs while they’re learning from home.
Other help
Some key phone numbers for you:
The DET Parent Advice Line 1800 338 663 is now open 7 days a week. You can also contact the Regional Office in your area to seek more information and assistance.
The NDIS line is 1800 800 110 and press 5 to ask for additional support.
Amaze’s Autism Advisors on 1800 308 699 can also provide education advice specifically for autistic students and link you to our Peer Support leaders across Victoria.
Keep us posted
Lastly, it is critical that we hear about your experiences in this period and if any schools are not adhering to the new procedures:
– Must be open for students who are vulnerable.
– Must be open for students with disabilities whose families are experiencing severe stress, noting that if your family is finding it extremely stressful to learn from home, and is prepared to accept partial attendance at school, this is the most likely scenario.
Amaze will continue to keep you informed as new information emerges.
Please know Amaze is here to support with feeding your concerns and needs into government and to support you as much as we can.
Stay well and stay in touch.