Disability Inclusion: increased support for students with disabilities

Information on the Disability Inclusion program, what it aims to deliver and the rollout plan.

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You can use this Easy English document with parent/carer(s) - Disability Inclusion (accessible) (pdf - 1.67mb)

What Disability Inclusion delivers

Disability Inclusion involves an investment of almost $1.6 billion to ensure every student at every ability thrives at school and in life. Disability Inclusion will roll out to Victoria's government schools between 2021 – 2025.

Disability Inclusion is increasing support for students with disability through the following measures.

Investment in building skills and knowledge in inclusive education

Disability Inclusion introduces initiatives to help build knowledge and skills in inclusive education across the school system. Use the links below for more about Disability Inclusion’s system initiatives:

These initiatives will increase access to:

  • specialist expertise
  • coaching
  • professional learning
  • evidence-based guidance and resources
  • scholarships for school staff.

Disability Inclusion Profile

The profile is a strengths-based process to help schools and families identify:

  • the student's strengths and needs
  • the educational adjustments schools can make to help students with disability.

Key people who understand the student’s education and support needs will complete the profile together. This includes:

  • the student
  • their family
  • school staff and others, as appropriate.

A newly created facilitator role will help schools and families work together through the new approach.

An animated video explains the Disability Inclusion Profile for parents and carers.

Tiered funding model

Disability Inclusion introduces a tiered funding model for students with disability with additional funding for schools to help students with disability take part in their education on the same basis as their peers.

The new model is based on a structured approach to funding which considers the diverse needs of students with disability.

The model forms part of the Student Resource Package.

The Policy and Advisory Library guidance provides information about the tiered funding model.

An animated video provides an overview of Disability Inclusion.

Investment in implementation and disability support roles in regions

New disability support roles and dedicated teams will be introduced to help schools in implementing Disability Inclusion.

Rollout of Disability Inclusion

Victorian government schools and families will benefit from resources, support and guidance through Disability Inclusion.

The tiered funding model and Disability Inclusion Profile are being introduced through a staged roll-out over five-years.

Year 1 (2021)

Year 2 (2022)

Schools in these areas should refer to the Guidance for schools in Year 1 and Year 2 section below.

Year 3 (2023)

Year 4 (2024)

  • North Eastern Melbourne (NW-M)
  • Southern Melbourne (SE-M)
  • Brimbank Melton (SW-M)
  • Goulburn (NE-R)

Year 5 (2025)

  • Hume Moreland (NW-M)
  • Outer Gippsland (SE-R)
  • Wimmera South West (SW-R)
  • Inner Eastern Melbourne (NE-M)

The PSD process remains unchanged for schools in these areas until 2025. More information will be provided closer to Year 5.

Guidance for schools in Year 1 and Year 2

Disability Inclusion processes have replaced Program for Students with Disability (PSD) processes in Year 1 and Year 2 roll out schools.

The Policy and Advisory Library guidance provides information about:

  • the tiered funding and support model
  • the target group for Tier 2 funding and support
  • principles for inclusive practice
  • allowable uses of funding
  • planning for expenditure
  • Tier 2 funding case studies
  • advice on reporting requirements.

The Policy and Advisory Library policy outlines the Disability inclusion Profile process that is designed to help schools and families identify the strengths, needs, and educational adjustments schools can make for individual students.

Case studies of Disability Inclusion in practice

Schools implementing Disability Inclusion have shared their insights in stories and videos on the Disability Inclusion – Inclusive education in practice page.

Investment in implementation and disability support roles in regions

New disability support roles and dedicated teams will be introduced to help schools in implementing Disability Inclusion.

Consultation

Stakeholders, including schools, families and students with disability, will be consulted throughout the roll-out to make sure that the approach meets needs and expectations.

Contact us

For general enquiries about the Inclusion Education reform, email disability.inclusion@education.vic.gov.au

Education

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