Students with Disability
Supports for Students with Disability
The Special Education Program supports students from Prep to Year 6 who have a diagnosis and require significant education adjustments related to the specific impairment areas of:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Intellectual Disability
- Visual Impairment
- Hearing Impairment
- Physical Impairment
- Speech language Impairment
Browns Plains State School works to ensure the success and wellbeing of every student with disability through every stage of learning in an inclusive environment. Reasonable adjustments are made so students with disability are able to access and participate in education on the same basis as students without disability. Classroom and Special Education Teachers work closely together to implement reasonable adjustments specifically designed to meet the needs of the students. Students are supported in class and may attend intensive small group sessions; the frequency and intensity of the education adjustments made for the student are aligned to individual needs. Small group sessions may include additional targeted teaching for specific learning activities, cooking, gardening and social skills programs, which are designed to support and enhance student learning.
Advisory visiting teachers who specialise in the areas of vision, hearing and physical impairments and assistive technology visit on a needs or request basis. Request for services to the Department of Education Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist and Nurse can be submitted by the school for students with disability who need significant education adjustments. These services use a prioritisation framework to determine which services requested by schools can be delivered, these services depend on the student's and school needs.
Browns Plains State School values the importance of working with parents and carers. Parent and community engagement occurs at all levels of the school and throughout the year. It can take many different forms, depending on parent and student needs, the reason for engagement and the expected outcomes. We welcome you to play an active part in our school community.
Head of Special Education Services, Danielle Hogan.
Guidance Officer
Our guidance officer works closely with students and their families, teachers, non-teaching professionals and in some instances departmental agencies and authorities. The guidance officer does this in order to provide a wide range of support to students. Our guidance officer services our school two days per week.
Our guidance officer's responsibilities include:
- working directly with students and teachers, support personnel, family and other specialists/professionals
- providing guidance and counselling services to students and their families
- performing case management and referral services to optimise students' access and engagement in education
- preparing and implementing professional and personal skill development programs for administrators, teachers and parents
- working collaboratively with other school-based support personnel to assess and address the needs of students
- planning or assisting in planning support programs that can help students achieve positive outcomes
- identifying factors that can be barriers to the learning and development of students
- supporting the personal and social development of students
- providing advice about education and career pathways.
Please contact the school office on (07) 3809622 and talk with your child's Deputy Principal if you have any concerns you wish to discuss with the guidance officer.
Learning support
Our support team includes teacher aides, an Acceleration Teacher and a Differentiation Teacher. This team work to support teachers and students with intervention programs for students at risk and also requiring extension.
Early Childhood Development Program : (ECDP)
Browns Plains State School is host to Browns Plains ECDP. Early Childhood Development Programs (ECDPs) provide early intervention to children who require intensive, multidisciplinary programs to develop skills and behaviours to maximise their participation in schooling. The ECDP supports children aged 0-5 years of age who have significant educational needs arising from a suspected or diagnosed disability. These disabilities include Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Physical Impairment, Vision Impairment, Hearing Impairment and Speech Language Impairment. To be eligible to attend the ECDP an application is submitted to the regional office to determine if your child is eligible. You need to have evidence of the diagnosis or suspected impairment for your child to attend an ECDP. Your child's paediatrician or allied health professional could provide this.
The children are supported to develop their communication skills, social/emotional skills, fine motor and gross motor skills, thinking skills, independence, self-esteem, and self-care as well as emerging Literacy and Numeracy, all guided by the Early Years Learning Framework.
The ECDP is not a full time program, the number of sessions the children attend is dependent on their age and their diagnosis or the suspicion of disability. When the children reach their Prep year, they are supported in their transition to their local or special school setting.
Chaplaincy
A chaplaincy program is offered to provide students, parents and staff with pastoral care; it also provides additional adult role models in schools. Our chaplaincy program complements other support services in the school such as those offered by the Guidance Officer. A chaplaincy service is not a counselling service.
All activities and events provided within the chaplaincy program are non-discriminatory and are available to students of all beliefs who choose to participate. The program is inclusive and respects all religious and non-religious beliefs. Chaplains are not permitted to engage in evangelising or proselytising, nor attempt to undermine a student's religious or other beliefs. Ongoing support with the Chaplain is voluntary and requires parental permission (a permission form is available from the office or Chaplain). Please see our Chaplain for more information.