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Inclusive, Engaging and Respectful Schools

Strengthening our student-centred approach

P&C presentation

NSW Department of Education

education.nsw.gov.au

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Inclusive, Engaging and Respectful Schools

Strengthening our student-centred approach

P&C presentation

NSW Department of Education

education.nsw.gov.au

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Acknowledgement of Country

education.nsw.gov.au

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The Inclusive, Engaging and Respectful Schools package includes

  • Inclusive Education Policy for students with disability
  • Student Behaviour Policy and Procedures
  • Restrictive Practices Framework and Restrictive Practices Reduction and Elimination Policy and Procedures.

NSW Department of Education

education.nsw.gov.au

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What we all know

Early-life impacts on life-long outcomes

Feeling supported, safe and connected

Learning environments which are positive and respectful

Support early in school life

More likely to be active participants in their learning

Improve student engagement and academic achievement

Most likely to develop positive behaviours and have improved post-school outcomes

NSW Department of Education

NSW Department of Education

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Why bring in these new policies?�

To ensure every student is included, engaged and respected

Inclusive Education for Students with Disability Policy

All students:

  • have their freedom, rights and safety protected

Student Behaviour Policy 

Restrictive Practices Framework and Policy 

Inclusive Education Policy for students with disability  

  • Schools and classrooms are complex and supporting students is at the core value of what we do 
  • We want to ensure that our staff have what they need to support all students, especially students with additional needs
  • The initiatives are an essential next step to building improvements and consistency in inclusive practice and student engagement across all NSW public schools

NSW Department of Education

NSW Department of Education

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4x

Demand for disability support is growing at 4x rate of enrolment growth

Students with disability lost on average an additional 9 days of learning time per annum compared to a student without disability

Mainstream educators

told us that teachers at their school have the skill & confidence to differentiate their teaching for students with disability

-9

3 out of 10

Submissions received during public consultation in 2020 provided a strong case for change and basis for understanding the needs of students and staff

Suspension rate for schools with lowest socio-economical advantage were 16x higher than schools with highest advantage

900+

Students with disability are 3.9x more likely to be suspended. 32,608 suspensions issued in 2020 (16% decrease from 2019).

3.9x

Number of children with complex behaviour in schools is growing

Introduction of the Persons with Disability (Regulation of Restrictive Practices) Bill 2021.

2.6 & 3.1

Aboriginal students are 3.7x more likely to be suspended. 

18,456 suspensions were issued in 2020 (15% decrease from 2019). 

3.7x

16x

suspensions were issued (14% decrease from 2019) in 2020, across all NSW public schools.

63,604

Average days (length) of a short suspension in 2020 for primary & secondary schools

9.1 & 13.3

Average days (length) of a long suspension in 2020 for primary & secondary schools

Decisions based in data

To keep students engaged in learning at school

NSW Department of Education

NSW Department of Education

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Team around a school

Delivery Support is a critical partner

3. Professional learning

2. Team around the school 

 

2. Practice resources

1. Clear guidance

The new policies will provide schools with clarity around roles and responsibilities.

The new policies will be supported by checklists, factsheets, flowcharts and teaching and learning resources

Building local school staff confidence and capability through professional learning including self-paced scenarios

Embed the new policies in practice and continue to support schools through building capacity 

02

03

04

01

NSW Department of Education

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What is changing?

What isn’t changing?

NSW Department of Education

education.nsw.gov.au

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Inclusive Education Policy for students with disability

Applies to all staff

Clarifies existing legal obligations and effective practice

Clarifies rights of students and parents

Does not change our definition of inclusive education

Or our position on settings

NSW Department of Education

What’s not changing

What’s new

+

+

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Replaces the Student Discipline in Government Schools and Suspension and Expulsion Policy

Health and safety of students and staff remains paramount. Violence in our schools in never acceptable.

Various positive behaviour support that is currently in place to support schools and students.

Additional tools, resources, expanded access to specialist services and new professional learning available.

The Student Behaviour Policy and Procedures, with new arrangements for suspension and an evidence-informed approach to behaviour support and management, will replace the existing Student Discipline in Government Schools Policy.

The “School Behaviour Support and Management Plan” will replace the “school discipline policy”.

What’s new

What’s not changing

+

+

+

Suspension will remain an option for schools if a student’s behaviour poses a risk to others.

Student Behaviour Policy and Procedures

NSW Department of Education

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+

+

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Restrictive Practices Framework and Restrictive Practices� Reduction and Elimination Policy and Procedures

A new Restrictive Practices Framework and Restrictive Practices Reduction and Elimination Policy.

Clarity on appropriate and prohibited use of restrictive practices.

Reporting requirements for Principals to report on the use of Prohibited Practices and recording the use of planned restrictive practices in relevant student plans.

Student and staff safety is paramount in all circumstances. 

Schools have a non-delegable legal duty of care.

Roles and responsibilities of teachers and other staff under the Disability Standards for Education (2005).

What’s not changing

What’s new

+

Supporting schools with additional resources and professional learning to ensure every child continues to be safe, engaged and learning. 

+

+

+

NSW Department of Education

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How were these developed?  

Created by listening to diverse voices and experiences

Department has been planning this change for over 18 months.

Over 60 meetings with key stakeholders

Views of students, staff, parents and carers, community members, stakeholder groups and advocacy organisations were critical to the development of the policy package.

NSW Department of Education

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What does is mean for my child and for me?

A role for everyone

NSW Department of Education

education.nsw.gov.au

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When do the changes start?

Operational from Term 4, 2022

The policies will become operational at the following times:

  • Inclusive Education Policy for students with disability – Term 4, 2022
  • Student Behaviour Policy and Procedures – Term 4, 2022
  • Restrictive Practices Framework and Restrictive Practices Reduction and Elimination Policy and Procedures – Term 1, 2023.

BUT full implementation across the school system will be staggered and we will work with parents and carers to develop plans for our school community.

school logo

NSW Department of Education

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What will the changes mean for our school?

We are developing our implementation plan

Between now and when each policy becomes operational, we are:

  • Reviewing the policies
  • Reviewing in the procedures
  • Mapping key changes
  • Training staff

Our approach to ensuring all students, �teachers, staff and visitors to the school are safe �WILL NOT CHANGE.

You can be assured that the safety of your child remains our utmost priority. �This, therefore, also means that if you child is jeopardising the safety of others appropriate action will be taken inline with these new policies.

NSW Department of Education

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Where can I get more information?

Fact sheets

Policies, procedures and Framework in full and Easy-Read versions

Short explainer animations

Frequently asked questions

education.nsw.gov.au/student wellbeing

NSW Department of Education

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Thank you

NSW Department of Education

education.nsw.gov.au