Schools Plus Eligibility Criteria

Schools Plus is designed to provide support for 3% of the school population. This is not the entire group of students with disability. Alternative forms of support exist for schools to assist them with students who have special educational needs but are not within this 3% target group.

There are eight categories of eligibility and each category has its own criteria. All categories require specific assessment or diagnosis by relevant specialists. Eligibility requires verification by the Schools Plus team of a diagnosis that complies with the Department of Education’s criteria and standards for resourcing. Schools Plus determines whether a diagnosis meets eligibility for funding and does not seek to govern the clinical practice of medical and allied health professionals. For this reason, sometimes a diagnosis may be made that does not meet funding criteria.

A periodical review is required for some eligibility categories. This is usually for conditions or disorders that are treatable or variable in presentation. An eligibility cease date is applied to all groups. For those disabilities that are permanent, this will usually be the end of Year 12 for the student.

The sustainability of the Schools Plus funding program depends on very clear and consistent criteria for eligibility.

Schools are eligible to receive support from Schools Plus when:

• The student meets the eligibility requirements for one or more of the indicated groups;
• There is evidence that the disability impacts on the student’s access to and participation in the curriculum.

Eligibility is based on a student’s diagnosis. It is important to understand that there is a difference between criteria for making a diagnosis and criteria for eligibility for funding. Having a diagnosis does not automatically establish eligibility for Schools Plus.

Documentation demonstrating eligibility criteria have been satisfied must be stored on the student’s file in Schools Plus in order for resources to be released to a school. Schools are responsible for coordinating with parents/carers to gather appropriate documents and ensuring that they are received by Schools Plus.

Once eligibility has been verified by Schools Plus, the resource allocation to the school will be determined by the level of teaching and learning adjustments being made for the student. These adjustments are demonstrated to Schools Plus using the On-line Checklist. Schools decide on these adjustments in consultation with the student’s parents/carers by developing documented plans from which teachers work.