Our Commitment

The Department for Education, Children and Young People is committed to enabling all learners to achieve quality outcomes through their participation in an inclusive, high quality education system that is responsive to their needs through appropriate access and participation in the Australian Curriculum.

Schools’ primary goal is to make educational adjustments for each child to ensure an appropriate learning program. Teachers are making adjustments to their teaching and delivery style, classroom environment, resources and materials, and assessment processes to be inclusive of every student.

Inclusion and Diversity Services is guided by the Department’s stated commitment to inspire and support all learners to succeed as connected, resilient, creative and curious thinkers. The values and goals of our agency underpin our work in program and initiative development, support for students and staff and maintaining a high performing workforce with a strong improvement agenda.  Our work aligns with State and National Government agendas.

In relation to supporting students with diverse learning needs, the following resources may assist:

Programs, Initiatives and Events

The Department for Education, Children and Young People is committed to providing high quality programs, initiatives and events to support all students to access, participate and engage in all aspects of school life.

The Department supports the following programs and initiatives:

• Ministerial Taskforce
• Inclusion Advisory Committee
• Events

Parent Fact Sheets

Clear communication is critical in the relationship between schools, families and carers, services and the broader community.  To assist in this we have developed a series of Parent Fact Sheets which are available on line and in a printable format.  They cover topics such as Allergies, Child and Family Learning Centres, Disability Support, Diversity, English as an Additional Language, Enrolment, Professional Support Staff, and Support for Students with Disability.

Inclusive Practice – Illustrations of Practice

Creating inclusive school cultures is a key priority in our schools. Enabling this to happen takes ongoing commitment, flexibility and responsiveness, and sometimes much trial and error. When school support models operate well and staff are willing to try a range of accommodations and adjustments the results are very powerful.

The department has produced a series of videos which illustrate inclusive practice in relation to:

• Collaborative work
• Creating powerful partnerships
• Successful post-school connections
• Supportive Learning Environments
• Value of Sharing
• Supporting Students with Disability

Videos are available at Students with Disability – Illustrations of Practice.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a new way of providing individualised support for people with lifelong disabilities.  The aim of the scheme is to provide people with choice and control over the supports they need to live an ordinary life. Children in our schools may have an NDIS plan which enables their therapist to work in school with the child with the Principals approval. Education providers in Tasmania will continue to meet the personalised learning and support needs of students with disability under the Disability Standards for Education 2015.

Further information is available at: NDIS in Tasmanian Schools.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) for students with disability is focussed on building an evidence base that provides teachers and school leaders with information about how many students with disability there are in our schools; where they are; and the level of adjustment provided for them to participate in schooling on the same basis as other students. The first collection occurred in 2013 and all Tasmanian state schools participate annually in the collection.

Further information is available via the NCCD online Portal.