Support from external providers
The primary purpose of schools, under the Education Act 1990, is to deliver the curriculum to all students. The NSW Department of Education recognises that externally funded service providers have a role in delivering services to children and young people with additional health, disability and wellbeing needs that support their particiapation in school. In some circumstances it may be appropriate for these services to be delivered at school.
Decisions around whether to provide access to externally funded providers are a matter for the school Principal, based on whether it is in the best educational interests of the student, and considering the school's duty of care towards all staff and students. Principals have discretion to grant or not grant school access to an external provider, taking into consideration:
- the impact of the service on curriculum requirements and the student's participation in learning activities,
- the extent to which ther service supports the student's learning needs or enhances access to education,
- the impact of the service on other students and/or the operations of the school.
What does outside support mean?
Outside support means getting extra help for your child from people who are not part of our school. This can include:
- Assessments or checks – such as psychological, speech or occupational therapy
- Special tutoring or learning programs – run by trained professionals outside our school
- Health services – like counselling or medical support we cannot give internally
- Agency support – help with behaviour, language or social development
This support works with what our school already provides, to meet your child’s needs.
Available external provider session times
To meet curriculum requirements and ensure the best interests of the student and school, external providers may only attend Northlakes Public School during the following times:
- 12:00pm – 12:30pm
- 12:30pm – 1:00pm
- 1:30pm – 2:00pm
- 2:00pm – 2:30pm
How the process works for parents and carers
Parents or carers must complete our External Provider - parent/carer request form.
This form can be: completed online and emailed to northlake-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au or a hard copy can be collected and returned to our school office.
More information
For more information on accessing external provider support please read the fact sheets below:
- External provider - parent/carer request form
- External providers information for parents
- Organising for your child to get NDIS-funded support at school - an easy read guide
- Organising for your child to get NDIS-funded support at school - a text only easy read guide
Requirements for external providers
External providers must meet all NSW Department of Education requirements before working with our school.
They must:
External providers must complete:
- Sign a written agreement with our school. See External Provider Engagement Agreement
External providers must:
- Follow the NSW Department of Education's policies on equity, inclusion, and child wellbeing
- Compliance with relevant laws and policies, including child protection and privacy
- Complete child protection training every year.
External providers must have:
- Appropriate insurance coverage
- A valid Working with Children Check (WWCC)
- All necessary qualifications and experience
See External provider information sheet and checklist for all details.
External provider visits school at time and date of support and provides proof of identification to admin staff before support starts.
After each session providers must complete a Therapy Update Form for disclosure of information between contractor and school.
More information & forms
For more information on external provider support please read the fact sheets below:
- Information and checklist for external providers
- Fact sheet - child protection responsibilities