Selected students take part in multi-disciplinary small group work with occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech therapists and other specialists. These activities are aimed at building speech, gross motor and social skills in the students. This integrated approach leads to improved outcomes for our students and assists our teaching staff in applying therapy techniques to classroom interventions.
If parents/guardians believe it would be beneficial for a student to receive therapy services during school hours on school premises, they must seek permission from the principal, in consultation with the classroom teacher and discuss with the principal:
- the purpose and benefits of the intervention.
- the nature of the intervention (e.g., student observation, one to one therapy)
- who is to deliver the services.
- when the services would be delivered.
Before permission is provided the principal will:
- consider how the intervention contributes to the individual plan of the student
- make a decision regarding the benefits of the intervention versus the loss of educational time.
- consider the potential impact on other students.
- consider the capacity of the school to provide appropriate space for the intervention.
- ensure an appropriate time frame is established for review of the permission.
Regarding external agency personnel or private therapists who visit or work at Gladys Newton School must follow the procedures below :
- contact the school in the first instance for permission to visit. Application forms can be downloaded from our website and emailed to Gladysnewton.therapists@education.wa.edu.au
- provide identification and evidence of agency authorisation.
- A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) is
- required for service providers who will be at a school on more than 21 business days in a 12 month period
- not required for service providers who will be at a school on less than 21 business days in a 12 month period
- not required for providers who have a NDIS Worker Screening Check
Once permission has been granted for therapeutic intervention, all visitors are expected to:
- sign in at the front office upon arrival in the school and sign out when they leave the school premises.
- remain as unobtrusive as possible within the classroom.
- obtain parent permission beforehand for every student they work with.
- interact only with the student for whom permission has been granted to visit.
- if required, organise a post visit time convenient with the teacher to discuss issues regarding the visit as teachers are generally not in a position to discuss a student’s needs or progress in class time.
- all observations, information and documentation pertaining to school visits must be treated as confidential by all parties concerned.
Should you have any queries please contact our Student Support Coordinator via email Dean.White@education.wa.edu.au or Gladysnewton.therapists@education.wa.edu.au