Autism and inclusive education expert Dr Amanda Webster believes the NSW Education Department's new disability strategy was a step in the right direction but more work that "actually affects change in schools" was needed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The $88 million strategy released by Education Minister Rob Stokes on Thursday, responds to a damning 2017 parliamentary report that found an "unacceptable" number of mistreatment allegations.
The report also found schools in NSW were facing "unprecedented pressure" due to soaring disability rates, with the number of students with autism increasing by almost 15 per cent per year and those with mental health needs growing by more than five per cent.
Yet there are fewer staff trained to support them as the number of special education graduates fall and more than half of teachers admit to a lack of confidence in the area.
To tackle this, every public high school will have two dedicated experts to ensure students have access to vital mental health and wellbeing support.
Dr Webster, the academic program director for the University of Wollongong’s autism postgraduate programs, said the disability strategy was addressing really important things.
"I think flexibility, training and really shifting the focus to inclusive practice is a conversation that is really needed in NSW," she said.
"Part of that money and part of that focus needs to be not just on providing training but actually getting outside experts working in schools to help shift what schools are currently doing so they can enact the promise of the strategy."
As principals and teachers were having to juggle so many different things, they needed help to bring the strategy into practice.
"We have to help teachers and principals to understand how to put these things together rather than seeing it as one more thing they have to do," Dr Webster said.
We have to help teachers and principals to understand how to put these things together rather than seeing it as one more thing they have to do.
- Dr Amanda Webster
Up to 100 additional full-time school counsellors or psychologists, as well as 350 student support officers, will be employed across NSW public high schools.
Mr Stokes said the program will help normalise speaking up and seeking help when it comes to mental health, as well as train teachers to be able to have these conversations with students and their families.
"It is critical that parents, teachers and students know there is always someone they can turn to for support," he said.
"We’ll also partner with mental health organisations to bring their expertise and experience to school communities."
Henry Rajendra from the NSW Teachers Federation said the strategy was the result of a long campaign by teachers and parents.
"This announcement goes a long way to meeting the needs of these students...but there is still more to be negotiated," he said.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
