Everything you need to know about getting support as a student living with a disability
Personal care is one of the key disability supports available to participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Personal care supports are usually delivered in the home to assist participants in finding their own sense of independence.
However, personal care supports are also available to school-aged students. The NDIS, care providers, and schools were together to provide personalised learning environments and supports for children living with disabilities.
All children have a right to receive the best possible education. Personal care in schools promotes this right, and supports young people as they navigate their way through education and their formative years.
As a quality NDIS provider, HealSoul is here to offer you support in any way we can. While we cannot deliver personal care in schools, we can deliver other supports for children, including early intervention. For more information, get in touch with our team.
What is personal care in schools?
Schools are an important support system for all students – regardless of their disability status. The onus is placed on schools and their staff to support students wherever they can as part of their duty of care. This duty extends to students living with a disability.
To support all students in achieving successful education outcomes, schools need to adequately provide:
- Quality teaching
- Learning assistance and aids
- School building modifications
- Transport between activities
NDIS personal care in schools takes it a step further to support students in daily activities that are not related to education outcomes. The NDIS funds supports that can include:
- Personal care and support
- Transport to and from school
- Transition support to further education, training, and employment
Personal care in school supports
Personal care in schools can help students find a more supported but independent way of living. These supports include:
- Toileting, dressing, and personal hygiene
- Eating and drinking
- Transport and moving around campus
- Complex health and medical support
Transition supports
To help young people transition between school and the next stage of their life – like further education, training, or employment – the NDIS also funds a range of supports. These include:
- Social and community participation
- Building life skills
- Mobility and communication technology
- Finding and maintaining a job
These supports are most readily available to Year 12 school leavers and can continue through the first 2 years out of schooling.
How do I qualify for NDIS personal care in schools?
Before you get started with access NDIS supports in school, you’ll need to be a participant of the NDIS.NDIS personal care in schools comes with the same eligibility requirements as other elements of the NDIS. These include:
- Being an Australian citizen
- Being under the age of 65 years old
- Having a permanent or significant disability
If you do not meet the above requirements, and still need some assistance at school, there are other avenues that can deliver support. It’s best to talk to your school first if you aren’t already a participant in the NDIS.
How is personal care in schools provided?
Personal care supports are different to other supports delivered by the NDIS. Personal care in school only appears as an item in your NDIS plan to show that you receive the service. You do not need to use your NDIS funds to pay for personal care support at school – it is paid to the school directly by the Scheme.
Here’s how the process works:
- Your school will provide the personal care supports you need
- School staff will deliver your supports, splitting their time between you and other students
- The NDIS pays for the supports delivered by your school
It’s important to understand that schools and only schools can deliver NDIS personal care at schools. The NDIS merely pays for the supports. This allows the school more autonomy to deliver personal care that will improve the lives of students.
The NDIS does NOT:
- Set out who provides supports
- Plan how you receive supports at school
- Decide how much support you receive in the classroom
How can I access personal care in schools?
To access personal care support at school, you need to talk with your parent or guardian first. They can then talk to your school directly to help you work out a plan that provides the personal support you need.
Your school is then tasked with arranging and delivering those supports. It’s important to continually check in with your school to deliver feedback on your supports. By starting a two-way conversation, you can ensure that you are always getting the best possible care.
If you need to talk with someone before accessing personal care in schools, get in touch with HeaSoul. We can give you a compassionate, balanced view of what we think will give you the most assistance.
Where can I go for more information?
Because school supports are delivered through the education system, they fall under the remit of the state or territory education department. You can contact the department for more information about how NDIS at school supports work.
You can also contact your school’s principal. Most schools around the country provide supports to students in one or another, and all principals are aware of the school’s obligation to provide additional support to students through the NDIS.
How HealSoul can help
If you’re looking to access NDIS supports for your child at school, HealSoul can assist. We specialise in putting together plans that meet the needs of NDIS participants, all with the endgame of giving you a more supported and independent lifestyle.
We do not deliver NDIS supports in school – that’s taken care of by your school. However, we can deliver other NDIS supports for children and school leavers. We can also advise on what supports we think would be most appropriate at school.
To get started on your journey towards a more independent life, contact HealSoul. Our team is here to offer you the support and advice you need.
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