They support schools in assisting children and young people facing barriers to learning to achieve their educational and developmental potential. SSS staff work as part of an integrated health and wellbeing team within each area, focusing on providing:
workforce capability building for school staff
group based and individual support
the provision of specialised services.
Referral to the SSS Network is made in partnership with the College, students and parents/carers. Informed consent is sought before commencing sessions.
Mental Health Practitioner The Lakes, supported through the regional offices of the Department, has access to a Mental Health Practitioner 1.5 days per week (Secondary Campus).
The Mental Health Practitioner role provides an additional resource to the College’s existing wellbeing team and includes:
contributing to whole-school approaches to mental health prevention and promotion
provision of direct counselling support to students and other early intervention services
coordination of supports for students with more complex needs.
The Lakes Mental Health Practitioner (registered social worker) provides short term intervention for students with mild to moderate mental health needs and liaises with the relevant internal and external services where students need more intensive support.
Referral to the Mental Health Practitioner is made in partnership with the College, students and parents/carers. Informed consent is sought before commencing sessions.
PSD – Program for Students with Disability The Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) provides funding to assist schools to support eligible students with disability and high needs. Eligible students are supported to participate in meaningful ways with their education at the College. All students within the program with have a co-designed Individual Education Plan and regular Student Support Groups to establish and review SMART educational and wellbeing goals.
Students with Disability may have access to the Visiting Teachers Service, which provides expert teachers who assist students and staff in ensuring the learning environment is supportive and inclusive. The PSD may also include the provision of aides and equipment.
Behaviour Support Plans A Behaviour Support Plans (BSP) addresses inappropriate behaviour, and outline strategies to improve behaviour. Targeted plans may be developed for students who:
have been diagnosed with severe behaviour disorders
have bullied others
have been bullied
require additional assistance because they display difficult, challenging or disruptive behaviours
can benefit from additional wellbeing support.
BSPs may include:
known triggers of the behaviour
situations that make the behaviour more likely or cause the behaviour to occur
strategies to reduce or remove or address triggers
strategies to teach the student how manage behaviours
responding to, without reinforcing, the behaviour.
Plans are co-designed with students, families and the College. A Student Support Group may be established to create and review the plan.
Safety Plans Safety Plans are developed to addresses specific safety concerns in the indoor and outdoor learning environment. Targeted plans may be developed for students who:
have an identified safety concern in the learning environment
are ‘at-risk’, pose a risk to themselves, or, pose a risk to others
can benefit from additional wellbeing support.
Safety Plans may include:
protective factors
triggers and risk factors to safety
strategies to improve safety
Plans are co-designed with students, families and the College. A Student Support Group may be established to create and review the plan.
Individual Education Plans Individual Education Plans (IEP) address educational needs, and outline goals and strategies to improve educational outcomes. Targeted plans may be developed for students who:
have a learning disability
Require learning catch-up or extension
require additional assistance because they display difficult, challenging or disruptive behaviours
can benefit from additional wellbeing support.
IEPs may include:
learning strengths
factors that impact learning progression
strategies to improve learning outcomes
SMART goals for learning.
Plans are co-designed with students, families and the College. A Student Support Group may be established to create and review the plan.
Education Support Staff Education Support Staff in classroom support roles have a significant impact on the achievement, engagement and wellbeing outcomes of students, particularly those with disability and additional needs. They have an important role in strengthening an inclusive school culture and creating a positive climate for learning through their targeted work with identified students.
Student Support Group Student Support Groups involve a partnership between schools, parents/carers, the student and relevant agencies. The group works together to plan and support the educational, health, social, cultural and emotional wellbeing of students with diverse learning needs. This may include students:
with a disability or diverse learning needs, including, but not limited to, students supported by the Program for Students with Disability (PSD – SSG is mandatory)