Student Support Officers are employed by the DET to provide additional support to students and their teachers. Such personnel include Speech Pathologists, Psychologists and Occupational Therapists
“Despite considerable investment by the Victorian Government, there continues to be significant unmet need for support services for students with disabilities, including integration aides, occupational therapists, speech therapists, other specialist staff and assistive technology. If these are not provided when required, students with disabilities cannot participate effectively in education. Students in regional areas encounter distinct issues that affect their ability to participate at school, which commonly relate to a lack of these specialist supports. Despite being contrary to government policy and legislation, some parents are contributing financially to the provision of specialist supports in schools to address gaps in the system and ensure that their child can remain at school.”
Held Back -the experiences of students with disabilities in Victorian schools’ Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission 2012 p 60
In addition to the findings above, considerable concern has been expressed by parents as to whether Student Support Officers adhere to their own professional ethics once commencing work for the DETr . For example parents report that psychologists have been involved in the restraint of children with disabilities, either by training staff in restraint directly, or overseeing the use of restrictive practices such as restraint and seclusion without instead ensuring that formal positive behaviour supports are implemented.
Similarly, Speech Pathologists have been reported to hold views and make recommendations that appear not to align with their peak bodies. For example, in open court, one DET Speech Pathologist claimed that if a child with a language disorder slipped one or two points below 70 in an IQ test, formal speech pathology assistance would not be necessary and functional life skills should be taught instead.
Although there is no mention of this in DET policy, public statements by a DET Speech Pathologist clarify that ongoing speech therapy is not available in secondary schools. As this is not made clear to parents through any DET documentation, parents may mistakenly assume the reason their child is not receiving any direct speech pathology assistance, is because there is no need for such assistance.
Some parents may be able to afford private speech pathology. Many cannot. If a child’s language disorder is impeding their ability to access the classroom, a speech pathology program in the context of school will be desirable.
Concern has been raised by parents that formal language programs are not being provided, even for children with severe language disorders. In addition, in special schools, the Picture Exchange Communication System is often provided to children with disabilities without the benefit of trained staff supervising /implementing the program, and in reality does not even resemble the actual program.
The DET successfully removed funding from approximately 95% of children receiving individual funding for language disorders in 2006, by raising the criteria to such an extent that only a very small number of children can meet it. This funding was replaced by the ‘Language Support Program’ which was a voluntary program providing resources and training if asked for by teachers.
Parents may wonder why children cannot obtain funding under the Severe Language Disorder criteria under the Program for Students with Disabilities, even when they have been diagnosed as having a severe language disorder. Clinical criteria for language disorders and the criteria the DET have fabricated, are unrelated.
Some special schools have resident Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, however reports from parents suggest that it is extremely rare that children with disabilities receive an individual program. Programs are often provided in a group setting, irrespective of the level of skill and individual need.
Catholic schools also provide access to speech therapists from time to time, however parents report this is usually confined to brief assessment, rather than ongoing assistance and programs.
Another important reason to try and avoid using any Student Support Officers employed by DET is that if you make a complaint, they will use the evidence they have gained as a therapist against your child by being witnesses in court cases for DET.
Advocacy
Through the perusal of DET psychology behaviour plans, their endorsement of restrictive practices, the quality of speech pathology programs together with the findings of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, it would be unwise for parents to put their faith in the recommendations of DET Service Support Officers if they are concerned their child requires assistance to meet their individual therapy needs and access their education.
Independent practitioners who have no conflict of interest can assess your child and make recommendations, as their interest is to provide impartial advice and information.
Those recommendations can then be taken back to individual schools. For parents who do not have the funds to afford private practitioners, contact public hospitals and disability/family support agencies. They will often be able to assist you to access these services.