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What Disability Inclusion will deliver
Disability Inclusion will increase support for students with disability through the following measures.
Disability Inclusion Profile
The profile is a new strengths-based process to help schools and families identify:
- the student's strengths and needs
- the educational adjustments schools can make to help students with disability.
Key people who understand the student’s education and support needs will complete the profile together. This includes:
- the student
- their family
- school staff and others, as appropriate.
A newly created facilitator role will help schools and families work together through the new approach.
Tiered funding model
Disability Inclusion introduces a tiered funding model for students with disability with additional funding for schools to help students with disability take part in their education on the same basis as their peers.
The new model is based on a structured approach to funding which considers the diverse needs of students with disability.
The model forms part of the
Student Resource Package.
The
Policy and Advisory Library guidance provides information about the new tiered funding model.
Investment in building skills and knowledge in inclusive education
Disability Inclusion introduces new initiatives to help build knowledge and skills in inclusive education across the school system.
The initiatives will increase access to:
- specialist expertise
- coaching
- professional learning
- evidence-based guidance and resources
- scholarships for school staff.
Investment in implementation and disability support roles in regions
New disability support roles and dedicated teams will be introduced to help schools in implementing Disability Inclusion.
Delivering Disability Inclusion
Inclusion Outreach Coaching
The Inclusion Outreach Coaching (IOC) initiative supports schools to use inclusive education practices.
Inclusion Outreach Coaches are employed by specialist schools.
The Inclusion Outreach Coaches provide support to partnering schools. This includes whole-of-school training, in-class coaching and individual teacher support.
Regional Inclusion Outreach Coaching Coordinators (RIOCs) are available to support the regional coordination of the initiative.
For more information please contact
inclusion.outreach.coaching@education.vic.gov.au
The rollout
From the middle of 2021, Victorian government schools and families will benefit from resources, support and guidance through Disability Inclusion.
The new tiered funding model and the Disability Inclusion Profile will be introduced through staged roll-out over the next five years.
Year 1 (2021)
Schools in these areas should refer to the Guidance for schools in Year 1 section below.
Year 2 (2022)
- Outer Eastern Melbourne (NE-M)
- Central Highlands(SW-R)
- Mallee (NW-R)
Schools in Year 2 will be invited to attend information sessions from Term 3, 2021. The PSD process remains unchanged for schools in these areas until 2022.
Year 3 (2023)
- Inner Gippsland (SE-R)
- Ovens Murray (NE-R)
- Western Melbourne (SW-M)
The PSD process remains unchanged for schools in these areas until 2023. More information will be provided closer to Year 3.
Year 4 (2024)
- North Eastern Melbourne (NW-M)
- Southern Melbourne (SE-M)
- Brimbank Melton (SW-M)
- Goulburn (NE-R)
The PSD process remains unchanged for schools in these areas until 2024. More information will be provided closer to Year 4.
Year 5 (2025)
- Hume Moreland (NW-M)
- Outer Gippsland (SE-R)
- Wimmera South West (SW-R)
- Inner Eastern Melbourne (NE-M)
The PSD process remains unchanged for schools in these areas until 2025. More information will be provided closer to Year 5.
Guidance for schools in Barwon,Loddon Campaspe and Bayside Peninsula, and five supported inclusion schools (Year 1)
For schools in areas in Year 1 of the transition to Disability Inclusion, current processes under the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) will remain unchanged until Term 4, 2021.
Schools should note that 6-7 reviews and short-term reviews continue during 2021, including those submitted in Term 4.
Schools in Year 1 areas have been advised of their Tier 2 funding allocations. The
Policy and Advisory Library guidance provides information about:
- the new tiered and support model
- the target group for Tier 2 funding and support
- principles for inclusive practice
- allowable uses of funding
- planning for Tier 2 expenditure in 2021
- Tier 2 funding case studies
- advice on reporting requirements.
Further information on the new Disability Inclusion Profile process, Tier 3 student-level funding and other elements of Disability Inclusion will be provided in Term 3, 2021. This will include information to support preparation and planning for new processes for all schools.
Regional Implementation Teams will also be available to work with schools to support the introduction of the Disability Inclusion Profile.
Consultation
Stakeholders, including schools, families and students with disability, will be consulted throughout the roll-out to make sure that the new approach meets needs and expectations.
Contact us
For general enquiries about the Inclusion Education reform, email
disability.inclusion@education.vic.gov.au