Term 3 - July 2023
RAR/SWD staffing
The roll out of the new reasonable adjustments resourcing (RAR) model, which began earlier this year, has been a real learning journey for those involved in the special education space. Members have had to contend with the processes in the new system and understand what funding sources are available, where they can be applied, and how to manage newcomers or requests for additional supports.
RAR/SWD staffing must be allocated to the education of SWDs
Although most members would believe it to be the policy position of the Department of Education (the department) to allocate funds to staff working in the students with disability (SWD) sector for the education of SWDs, this is currently not the case. It has not been reflected in any policy, guideline, or information document. The department has produced factsheets to assist schools in understanding the RAR funding model and its application. SWD funding must be used for the students whose needs have been identified and for whom the funding was provided. Heads of special education services (HOSES) in schools that are not using full-time employees (FTE) for the education of SWDs should bring the factsheet to the attention of their principals.
NCCD workload
Although the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) system has been in place since 2015, there are still misconceptions about the processes that surround it. The Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) encourages members to ensure they are not creating new evidence processes or related tasks in the belief that it is required by the department. If you are asked to implement a new NCCD evidence gathering process, you may wish to ask for a copy of the departmental document that mandates the task. More evidence does not necessarily mean more resources. The department has online refresher courses for those who feel they need to brush up on their skills or who are new to the process. These can be accessed through OnePortal. The department is also engaging with schools that have outliers in their data to ensure they are accessing the correct supports for their students.
For further information about NCCD or in-school practices that may fall outside the expected norms, please email qtad@qtu.asn.au.
2023 QTU Roselynne Anderson Scholarship
Late in 2021, the QTU’s Special Education Committee recommended to the QTU Executive the establishment of a QTU Roselynne Anderson Scholarship. The application for 2024’s scholarship closes 15 September 2023.
Each year, three eligible QTU members are awarded a scholarship up to the value of $1,500 to assist with expenses associated with undertaking professional development, training, or further tertiary education relevant to special education, school leadership, or women in education.
Eligible members will complete the scholarship application form (accessible via the website at https://www.qtu.asn.au/roselynne-anderson-scholarship), which will then be considered by a sub-committee of the QTU’s Special Education Committee. The QTU Executive will approve the scholarships for the recommended applicants.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:
- be financial QTU members
- be undertaking or preparing to undertake professional development, training, or further tertiary education relevant to special education, school leadership, or women in education
- complete an application form which will outline how the scholarship funds will be used
- commit to providing the QTU with a brief report at the conclusion of the scholarship period outlining how the scholarship has contributed to their professional development or to their school’s education programme.
For further information about the scholarship, please email services@qtu.asn.au
Special school transport
In late 2022, the QTU engaged in discussions regarding the issues that special schools were experiencing in managing transportation concerns and their workload impact. Earlier this year, the QTU surveyed members regarding this matter and provided the department with a range of anecdotes from member responses. This data was presented to the department with a request to rectify the outstanding problems. Some improvement has been achieved, however some schools are still experiencing difficulties in accessing transport for students that is appropriate, punctual, and regularly available. The department works closely with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to ensure special schools are supported, however it has indicated that (as with many sectors) a shortage of staff and resources (mainly buses) is impacting upon its ability to ensure all schools are serviced. That said, if your school needs to use taxis for SWDs, you are encouraged to use them. QTU will continue to work through instances of inadequate support with the department.
If your school is experiencing SWD transportation concerns, please email services@qtu.asn.au
AVTs
The QTU has been working with low incident advisory visiting teachers (AVTs) from the south east corner of the state. This includes but is not limited to reviewing the AVT role description, workload concerns, borderless provision of services, role permanency, and continuity of service. These discussions have been highly productive, with a mutual understanding of how the department can manage the AVT cohort more effectively. Worryingly, the QTU has recently discovered a memorandum of agreement (MoA) for the provision of AVT services to the private school sector that the department has entered in to without consultation with the QTU. Of great concern is that this MoA has provision for three AVT supports in the private sector (with a mechanism for more if needed), covering the area from the NSW border to the Wide Bay region. With the current teacher shortages and inability to employ AVTs, this is an outrage. The General Secretary has written to the Director General expressing the QTU’s position on the matter and reserving the right to potentially go into dispute regarding it.
If you have any concerns relating to the AVT function in your school or the role in general, please contact services@qtu.asn.au for further advice or support.