Staying
connected to school, kindergarten and learning
To
achieve the best possible educational outcomes, children with health conditions
will need ongoing and coordinated support from their family, health
professionals and school or kindergarten.
It’s
a good idea for parents to meet with a coordinator, well-being teacher, deputy principal
or other appropriate staff member to work out the expectations and
responsibilities of everyone involved in your child’s care. It is also valuable
to establish a key contact person at your child’s school or kindergarten for ongoing
communication.
Families
should decide what the best method of contact is between home, school and the
hospital (e.g. face to face meetings, phone calls, teleconferences or email), and
work with the school or kindergarten to organise who is responsible for sharing
information about your child’s education with who, in what way, and when.
It's
important to regularly communicate with the school or kindergarten about how
your child is coping at home and at school or kindergarten, including how they
are going academically, socially, physically and emotionally.
Families
should decide what and how much information your child would like to share
about their condition with staff, classmates and the wider school or
kindergarten community. Your child needs adequate care and support at school or
kindergarten, but it is also important to respect your child's right to
confidentiality and privacy.
Talk
to the school and your child’s health care team about professional development
opportunities that will help teachers better support your child.
More information
about staying connected with school can be found on the Education
Institute website.
Supports available at school and kindergarten
Support services
There
are a number of supports available at schools and kindergartens that may be
beneficial for students with health conditions. Parents can discuss how to access the
following support services with their child’s enrolled school or kindergarten:
- Student
Support Service Officers (SSSO)
- Well-being
staff
- Specialised
kindergarten supports
- Modified
learning plans
- Visiting
Teachers Service (VTS)
- State
Schools Relief and other financial assistance
More information
about these support services can be found on
the Education
Institute website
Students with disabilities and additional learning
needs
All education providers must meet the Disability
Standards for Education. Your
child has the right to take part in all education courses or programs on the
same basis as their peers. Your child may need some reasonable adjustments to
make sure they can take part. In
addition to the services listed above, there are further services to support
students with additional needs:
- Additional
funding (e.g. Program for Students with Disabilities, Kindergarten Inclusion
Support Program, Early Childhood Early Intervention)
- Student
Support Groups (SSG)
More information
about support services for students with disabilities and additional learning
needs can be found on the Education Institute website.
VCE and VCAL students
The senior years of school can be challenging, so if your
child has a health condition and is completing VCE or VCAL, additional supports
might be needed. You and your child may
need to be open-minded about alternative pathway options. The Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority
(VCAA) offer the following special provisions for students with health
conditions:
- special exam
arrangements
- derived
examination score
- compassionate
late withdrawal
- interrupted
studies
- emergency exam
arrangements
Students applying for entrance into
tertiary courses via the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) who have
had their studies negatively impacted by a health condition should also
consider applying for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
More information
about support services for VCE and VCAL students can be found on the
Education Institute website.
Learning at home and in hospital
Learning
promotes wellbeing and development, so it is important to set aside time for
learning activities even when your child is unwell. There are many literacy,
numeracy and online learning tools that students can use to continue learning
from home or in hospital.
The
Royal Children’s Hospital Education Institute (RCHEI) provides group and
individual learning sessions for eligible students during inpatient admissions
to the RCH. Speak to your health care
team for a referral to this service.
Tutoring
is also an effective way of helping students who have fallen behind their studies
due to health conditions.
More information
about learning at home and in hospital can be found on the Education
Institute website.
Returning to school or kindergarten
There
are a number of factors that need to be considered when your child returns to
school or kindergarten after an absence due to a health condition.
Gradual
Return
Students often experience physical and cognitive fatigue after treatment for a
health condition. Negotiate an adjusted timetable for your child when they
first return to school or kindergarten.
Return
to school plan
A return to school plan developed by the school or kindergarten, student, family
and health care team, outlines the modifications and reasonable adjustments
required to support your child in their return to school or kindergarten.
Student Health Support Plan (SHSP)
Working with your school or kindergarten and health care team to develop a
Student Health Support Plan ensures that your child can receive the required
care for their health condition when they return to school or kindergarten.
Ongoing
appointments
Communicate with your school or kindergarten so they are aware of how ongoing appointments
may impact attendance.
Fitting
in
Many young people are anxious about
returning to their school or kindergarten environment and fitting in with their
peers. Helping your child to keep in
touch with friends whilst in hospital or at home can help to alleviate some
concerns.
More information
about returning to school or kindergarten can be found on the Education
Institute website.
Key points to remember
- For
the best possible educational outcomes, your child will need ongoing and
coordinated support from their family, health care team and school or
kindergarten.
- Maintain
regular communication with the school or kindergarten regarding how your child
is coping at school or kindergarten and at home.
-
Relevant
information about your child’s condition should be shared with appropriate
school or kindergarten staff.
-
Additional
support is available – talk to relevant school or kindergarten staff.
For more information
Common questions our doctors are asked
Who is responsible for providing curriculum support to students who are in hospital or recovering at home?
The school or kindergarten in which the student is enrolled retains responsibility for the student’s curriculum when they are too unwell to attend school or kindergarten. The Department of Education and Training (DET) Victoria Curriculum Continuity Policy details the responsibilities of educators in supporting students with health conditions.
If my child needs to stay in hospital for long periods, what support is available in hospital for their education?
The Royal Children’s Hospital Education Institute provides group and individual learning sessions for eligible students during inpatient admissions to the RCH. Speak to your health care team for a referral to this service. If your child is being treated elsewhere, ask your child's nurses or doctors what resources may be available during your child's stay.
Developed
by The Royal Children's Hospital Education Institute.
Reviewed July 2020.
Kids Health Info is supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To donate, visit
www.rchfoundation.org.au.