The Term 2 2018 Parent Forum, was yet again held at SERU and proved to be another success.
Cheryl Bauer, The Chief of Staff of the Office of the Minister for Education opened the day reiterating the Minister’s vision for our education system, which is to be the best in the country. Some key directions were highlighted including parent engagement and initiatives for supporting literacy, numeracy and dyslexia. The session ended with questions from the group.
“Enjoyed the succinct, current clear presentation by Cheryl Bauer and her promise to take a complaint to the Minister”
A snapshot on The Team Around the Child, presented by David Fourmy, provided parents with a perspective to support their communication and interaction with personnel when planning their child’s education. The session provided information on coping with the complexity of lives and services at home, at school and in the community.
Parents had requested information and clarification about The National Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the inter-connect with education. Presenters from the Department of Human Services Child Youth Service and Provider Engagement of NDIA
delivered an overview and gave participants an opportunity to ask questions. This was a thought-provoking topic as participants wanted to gain a greater understanding of their entitlements and expectations.
Workshops were offered, giving participants the opportunity to attend two sessions, with topics requested from suggestions and feedback from the previous feedback. Topics included:
- One Child One Plan update
- Health Support Planning
- Dyslexia
- Autism
- The Behaviour Policy
- An update of the Funding process
- Impact of NDIS on education programs
- SERU services and resources.
Participants were left wanting more, so consideration of presenting these sessions again at future forums and allowing more time for each, are key points that the reference group will consider for 2019.
We received some great constructive feedback, which will be the impetus for the planning of the conference for Term 3 2018
“The forums allow an open platform to provide feedback and be heard regarding issues or concerns, and highlight student experiences with disabilities or additional learning needs. But it’s not all about what’s wrong with the system, the Forums are a place to highlight what is working really well in some schools and share ideas. It is a place to hear updates on programs and policy and have a say about these in practice. They are a way to collaborate to build a better system for all students. Information is provided, ideas discussed, stories are shared, tears are shed. Personally we have had a long DECD journey and involvement in the forum has made me feel like promising steps are being taken towards a brighter future for students with disabilities and additional learning needs and parents and carers are helping this happen by being involved. ”
