Purpose - 

To Provide support and assistance to students having difficulties accessing the curriculum due to disabilities, disorders and/or syndromes

Definition - 

Students with special needs, for the purposes of this policy, include: students with mental health problems [eg depression]; students with medical health issues [eg autism, Aspergers, disgraphia, dislexia] information processing difficulties, language disorders, sensory impairments and students living in difficult circumstances.

Rationale - 

• Some students have special needs as a result of disabilities, disorders, syndromes, circumstances at SBHS
• These students will require support and assistance to realise their potential
• Staff, students and family need to be aware of strategies to identify and respond on an individual needs basis
• Meet Department requirements

Aims -

• To improve the learning environment and learning outcomes for students with special needs
• To implement and maintain a whole school approach to address the specific needs of students with disabilities, disorders, syndromes
• To implement and maintain an active and confidential Register of Students with Special Needs.
• To advise at the beginning of every school year of students with special needs that they will be teaching
• To empower students to be proactive in problem solving associated with problems they may encounter such as bullying
• To heighten awareness at a whole school level
• To provide skills and strategies and a support network to enhance learning, social and emotional outcomes for students with special needs.
• To establish a mentoring program with the aim of establishing a long term support person for a student with special needs.

Outcomes -

• Identify the needs of our students and develop strategies to meet these specific needs
• All students with special needs to have strategies to deal with Issues related to their specific requirements which will be monitored by a mentor, Year Adviser, HT Welfare, Counsellor and assisted by external agencies [parents, medical professionals etc] where necessary
• Teachers to recognise that all students require ongoing, individual assistance
• To improve home and school liaison

Staff program -

• Relevant training be made available to all teachers of students with special needs to improve learning outcomes
• Staff to be active in reporting potential learning difficulties in students
• Teachers to be active in implementing individual learning programs for Students with special needs
• Teachers to report/advise positive and negative outcomes to Year Adviser for early intervention, monitoring and/or change of direction
• Teachers help formulate and support the individual student with special needs learning program.
• Year Advisers, Head Teacher Welfare, or Counsellors will maintain regular contact with parents and guardians and feedback to teachers as required.
• Teachers will attend crucial planning meetings

Procedures for Students -

• Make it known to Year Adviser if you are experiencing difficulties in learning or at home
• Understand that assistance is available if the school is aware of your needs/difficulties. Report to Year Adviser, Head Teacher Welfare, Counsellor or trusted teacher and let them know the difficulties being experienced.

Procedures for Parents -

• If you suspect your son is in need of assistance or has an existing/identified problem please
  1. a. Contact year Adviser and they will liaise with counsellors and Head teacher of Welfare, student’s teachers, agencies and parent/guardian
  2. The school will liaise with parents on a regular basis for as long as required