NDIS Funded Therapy in Schools

Step 1 – Request information

Principals should request information from both the NDIS funded therapist and the parent(s) of the student, as well as parent consent: refer to Request Form and Parent Consent Form (Word) (staff login required).

This information will enable principals to make transparent, consistent, and informed decisions, based on all relevant factors.

Request form

The principal should send the Request Form (Word) (staff login required) to the NDIS funded therapist when the request is made. The Request Form requires the NDIS funded therapist to provide all relevant information about their request, including:

• the purpose of the proposed therapy
• the proposed date and time that therapy will be performed
• the proposed duration and frequency of therapy
• the proposed aims and benefits of the therapy being provided at school and in school time
• proof of a satisfactory Working with Children Check for the therapist
• if the therapist is an NDIS registered practitioner:
  • most participants access services from NDIS registered providers who are required to get an NDIS Worker Screening clearance to deliver therapeutic supports, and comply with the NDIS Practice Standards and NDIS Code of Conduct. However self-managing participants can choose to employ unregistered providers who are not required to get an NDIS Worker Screening clearance. Schools should consider the increased risks associated with unregistered providers.
• copies of certificates of currency for the following insurances held by the therapist:
  • public liability insurance (principals should check that the certificate is current and is for a minimum sum per occurrence of $10 million)
  • professional indemnity insurance (principals should check that the certificate is current, with a reputable insurer, covers the professional services being provided, and is for no less than $5 million per any one event and in the aggregate).

The parent(s) of the student are encouraged to work with the NDIS funded therapist to complete the Request Form, so as to better outline the student’s individual situation and why the student or parent(s) are seeking to have the NDIS funded therapy delivered at the school.

Parent consent form

The Request Form attaches a Parent Consent Form (Word) (staff login required) that requires consent to the request and to the student’s personal and health information being provided to the school.

Any of the following people may sign the Parent Consent Form:

• a person with parental responsibility for “major long term issues” as defined in the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)
• a person authorised to make health decisions for the student under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic)
• an adult student
• an informal carer
• a mature minor.

When the principal receives the completed forms and any other relevant documents, the principal should consider the request in accordance with Step 2, outlined in the next chapter.

The principal should retain a copy of the Request Form and Parent Consent Form, and any documents relevant to the decision, securely on the student’s file, regardless of the decision.