Part one of the IncludED@OSHC learning journey
As a leader of OSHC, you play a crucial role in making sure children with complex disability are included in your service. Your job as a leader, after all, is to lead the way.
In an organisation, leaders are typically responsible for:
- organisational culture
- professional learning
- program development
- individualised support.
These responsibilities are reflected in the National Quality Standard – governance and leadership:
Creating an inclusive culture in your OSHC
Below are three important ways you can lead the way in creating a culture in your OSHC service that includes children with complex disabilities.
Role model inclusive behaviour
- As a core part of your service, show how committed you are to making children feel included
- Be open and willing to try new things, take advice and continuously improve
- Lead by example at an operational level, engage with all levels of staff and be ready and willing to provide hands-on support and care to children with complex disabilities
- Champion inclusive practice by being an inclusive employer and recruiting staff members with disabilities
- Establish close working relationships with schools so you can learn about their inclusive experiences
Introduce inclusive policies and practice
- Set expectations, policies and procedures to support children with complex disabilities
- Develop individual support plans adjustments for the children
- Communicate your service's expectations and policies to all staff, parents/carers, families and program partners
- Make sure your inclusive policies and practices are in line with the requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992
Embed and embrace the IncludED@OSHC framework
- Put in place all seven elements of the framework
- Make sure staff have access to the resources and equipment they need to deliver services and support
- Identify what funding is available for extra support from sources such as the Inclusion Support Program or community grants
- Help staff access professional development so they can better understand how to provide care to the children
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