Specific Education Needs Portfolio

The aim of the Specific Education Needs portfolio is to advocate for geographically isolated families that are supporting children with learning difficulties and disabilities throughout their education journey. Students with learning difficulties and disabilities require extra support and intervention, as early as possible. Living in rural, regional and remote locations makes access to allied health professionals and other support services difficult or at worst, completely untenable. For families with no daily access to a face to face school, learning difficulties and disabilities places significant additional stress in the classroom as parents and supervisors are required to provide greater levels of support.

SA ICPA members have a chance to have their voices heard by raising motions at State and Federal conferences that are then acted upon throughout the year.

WHAT WE HAVE ACHEIVED

• Provision of a bursary for SA ICPA families to access specialised literacy support online, thanks to the Indulkaninna Foundation.
• Raising awareness of the additional complexity and support needs of children with learning difficulties and disabilities.
• Developed a relationship with SPELD SA

WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON

• Continued advocacy for rural, regional and remote families supporting students with additional learning needs.
• Seeking opportunities to provide support for geographically isolated students and their families, including advocating for funding for additional SSO support.
• Early identification and intervention for learning difficulties. All rural and remote students must receive early and comprehensive screening for disorders which will affect their ability to participate fully in the school environment. Early screening can ensure children's educational needs are appropriately catered for throughout their schooling years.
• Provision of Medicare rebate for telehealth services where this is not already accessible. There is a need to expand subsidised telehealth services to cater for students with disorders directly affecting their ability to succeed at learning. Accessing Allied Health professionals and medical specialists ia telehealth would provide another level of support to rural and remote children with specific learning needs.
• Increase of age-appropriate Mental Health resources and programs for rural and remote children. There are shortage of school councillors and psychology services within rural and remote areas, and our children have not only faced the impacts of COVID-19 but also natural disasters.
• Training and Funding support for teachers and SSO’s - There is no training specifically to support children with additional needs in SA. We are seeking action from the department to better support schools to access and pay for training for their staff.

WHATS GOOD TO KNOW

• SA ICPA offer bursaries towards SPELD Literacy Clinic sessions (see below for more information or contact State Secretary for more info sasecretary@icpa.com.au)
• Autism SA – Full of resources, all thing autism.
• Headspace Port Augusta – provide early intervention to mental health services.
• Dollys Dream Website – full of resources around bullying, anxiety, and depression.

USEFUL INFORMATION

ICPA Federal Specific Education Needs Portfolio

ICPA Federal Specific Education Needs Portfolio page 

ICPA Federal Specific Education Needs Policy

Indulkaninna Foundation / Sandy's Memorial Trust / ICPA SA & SPELD SA Literacy Clinic

With the support of the lndulkaninna Foundation and Sandy's Memorial Trust, ICPA SA and SPELD SA have worked together to bring quality literacy intervention to outback students, at a subsidised rate. SPELD SA continues to receive funding to provide this service on an as-needs basis, and families are encouraged to apply. The SPELD SA Literacy Clinic provides 1:1 intervention using a high quality, evidence-based program. Sessions are delivered weekly by experienced teachers who work with students both face-to-face in Adelaide and online. 

The Literacy Clinic is suitable for any students who have not mastered reading, regardless of age. It also provides an effective reading and spelling program for students just starting their school journey, to ensure they become confident readers and spellers and to identify any difficulties early. 

Applications are taken at any time. To apply, go to the SPELD SA website. The application form can be found at the top of the page. We will soon have a dedicated bursary application form, but in the meantime, please write that you are applying for a bursary on your form. 

SA ICPA is extremely grateful to the Indulkuninna Foundation, Sandy's Memorial Trust and SPELD SA for making these clinics accessible for our members.

In 2020/2021 The Indulkaninna Foundation bursary benefitted SA ICPA member students to the value of $10,000 to support education for disadvantaged rural students

SPELD SA

SPELD SA is a not-for-profit organisation providing advice and services to children and adults with specific learning difficulties and those who care for, teach, and work with them. This website contains resources and workshop information

https://www.speldsa.org.au/

AUTISM SA

Autism SA's mission is “to be the first choice for individuals on the autism spectrum, supporting them to turn their potential into reality”.

https://autismsa.org.au/

HEADSPACE

Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation. We began in 2006, and ever since we’ve provided early intervention mental health services to 12-25-year-olds.

https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/port-augusta/

DOLLY’S DREAM

Dolly’s Dream is committed to changing the culture of bullying by addressing the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression and youth suicide, through education and direct support to young people and families.  

https://dollysdream.org.au/