Policy
This policy sets out how schools access Student Support Services and how this service works as part of the department’s Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion Workforces to support schools and students to achieve their learning and wellbeing goals.
Summary
- Student Support Services (SSS) are multidisciplinary area-based teams of allied health professionals
- Access to SSS as part of response to critical incidents is managed through eduSafe Plus.
- Access for all other types of SSS support is managed through a referral process by a student’s school after discussion with the school’s SSS Key Contact or Health and Wellbeing Key Contact (HWKC). This process is outlined in the Student Support Services referral process.
- The school must obtain informed consent from the student’s parent/carer where the referral is for direct support to a student or group of students prior to SSS delivering the service. The consent form is available on the Health Wellbeing and Inclusion Workforces Resources tab.
Details
SSS teams are comprised of allied health professionals including:
- psychologists
- speech pathologists
- social workers
- occupational therapists
- behaviour analysts.
They work closely with other health wellbeing workforces, school improvement workforces and school staff to support schools in assisting children and young people facing barriers to learning to achieve their educational and developmental potential.
SSS staff work as part of an integrated health and wellbeing team within each area, focusing on providing:
- workforce capability building for school staff
- group-based and individual support
- the provision of specialised services.
Related policies
- Behaviour – Students
- Child and Family Violence Information Sharing Schemes
- Child Link
- Child Safe Standards
- Disability Inclusion Funding and Support
- Disability Inclusion Profile
- Duty of Care
- Eating and Drinking Supervision
- Emergency and Critical Incident Management Planning
- Family Violence Support
- Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO 2.0)
- Health Care Needs
- Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion Workforces
- High Impact Teaching Strategies
- High Impact Wellbeing Strategies
- Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
- Managing and Reporting School Incidents (Including Emergencies)
- Mental Health in Schools
- Mental Health Fund and Menu
- Positive Classroom Management Strategies
- Privacy and Information Sharing
- Program for Students with
- Protecting Children – Reporting and Other Legal Obligations
- Records Management
- Restraint and Seclusion
- Sensory Rooms and Equipment
- Supporting Students in Out-of-Home Care
- Students with Disability
- Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0
Relevant legislation
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992
- Disability Standards for Education 2005
- Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006
- Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005
- Child Wellbeing and Safety (Information Sharing) Regulations 2018
- Children Youth and Families Act 2005
- Equal Opportunity Act 2010
- Family Violence Protection Act 2008
- Family Violence Protection (Information Sharing and Risk Management) Regulations 2018
- Health Records Act 2001
- Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014
SSS contacts
Contact the assigned area SSS Branch Manager, Health Wellbeing Key Contact (HWKC) or SSS Key Contact for information. These are listed on the Regional Maps contact (staff login required).
Reviewed 27 February 2025