Mobility Assistance

Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure students who need assistance being transferred and positioned can attend school.

Summary

• Schools must develop a student health support plan for students who have mobility needs and require assistance being transferred and positioned.
• Schools should request the student’s medical specialist completes a Personal Care Medical Advice Form — for a student who requires support for transfer and positioning outlining how to transfer and position the student.
• Musculoskeletal risks associated with hazardous manual handling must be identified, assessed and as far as is reasonably practicable, be eliminated or reduced. One of the controls to reduce such risk is to provide and maintain suitable equipment to assist with the task of transferring and positioning students, by staff who are trained to use it properly.

Details

Requirement for assistance

Students may need short or long-term assistance:

• with being transferred, for example, from a wheelchair to the toilet or from a wheelchair to a vehicle
• with being positioned for comfort, safety and curriculum access

The level of assistance varies according to student’s individual needs. Students may require:

• short-term (for example, while in plaster) or long-term support
• supervision for safety (for example, ensuring they remain upright in chairs)
• some assistance with transfers and positioning
• full assistance for transfers and positioning
• the support of two or more staff due to:
  • the student’s size and weight
  • the movement required

Equipment

Equipment to alleviate problems associated with manual handling, such as transferring and positioning students, should be:

• regularly checked
• maintained in good working order and not modified outside of the manufacturers guidance
• used by staff who are trained and competent to use the equipment
• immediately reported if there are concerns about equipment safety

Actions

Schools must:

• develop a Student Health Support Plan for students who require assistance being transferred and positioned
• ensure that the student health support plan includes guidance on strategies for minimising risks from trips, falls and manual handling for students who require assistance being transferred and positioned
• request the student’s medical specialist, such as a physiotherapist, completes a personal care medical advice form — for a student who requires support for transfer and positioning that makes clear recommendations outlining:
  • situations where assistance is required
  • the level of assistance required
  • type of transfer or positioning
  • recommended equipment to assist with transfers and positioning
  • recommended training for staff who are involved in assisting with transfers or positioning

Related policies

• Health Care Needs
• Manual Handling

Relevant legislation

• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
• Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)