External Service Providers

Forest Hill Public School is dedicated to ensuring all students have access to the supports they need to achieve their highest social, academic and emotional potential.

What is an external service provider?

Examples of external service providers include occupational therapy, speech pathology, early intervention, physiotherapy and psychology. These providers can either be funded by the NDIS, or directly engaged by families to support their child's development.

Considerations

The NSW Department of Education recommend that therapy services are best delivered outside of school time. This allows the school to focus on teaching your child and all other students, and ensures your child does not miss out on important learning time. Please also be aware that any curriculum content missed while out of the classroom is not the responsibility of the class teacher to catch-up with your child.

Forest Hill Public School works with both parents and allied health providers to meet the needs of students and support their learning and development. This may include sharing information about the student and what activities might work best to support them. In some cases, where it is suitable, this may mean working directly with the provider in the classroom.

How do I organise an external service provider to support my child at school?

Prior to the commencement of any external services at school, there are certain requirements that need to be completed both by the parents and the external service provider.

1. A written request needs to be made to the school outlining the service.

   Parent/Carer External Services request form

2. Parents need to provide permission to allow external providers to work with their child during school hours.

   External Providers permission form

3. The service provider needs to complete an agreement outlining the service provision and provide the required documentation.

   External Provider Engagement Agreement form

Learning and Support Team

Once all documents have been received, they will be reviewed by our Learning and Support Team. Your request will be considered, taking into account the needs of your child, other students and supervision requirements.

Parent Responsibilities

Parents have an ongoing role when a provider is working in a school to:

• Let the therapy provider know that the school has agreed to them working with your child at school at the agreed times and any other conditions. This information will be included in the written agreement with the school.
• Tell the therapy provider as soon as possible if your child is absent from school on a day when the provider is supposed to go to the school.
• Tell the service provider if other activities at school mean that therapy cannot take place. For example, when sports carnivals, excursions, special events or assemblies are scheduled.
• Tell the school if you stop using the service or change providers.
• Meet regularly with school staff to review your child's learning and support plan.