Out-of-Home Care

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Individual Education Plans

“ We meet once a term. Corey is a vital part of each meeting. It's important that he knows the meetings are not just adults making decisions for him,” - Barry, Student Welfare Coordinator.

Schools must develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for every student in Out-of-Home Care. This plan should be developed by the Student Support Group. This section explains the purpose and requirements of the IEP, provides an IEP template to download and information on where to find further assistance.

The IEP should be developed in line with the Department's guidelines. For information on planning, developing individual goals and privacy, see the Individual Education Plan Guidelines (PDF - 244Kb).

Purpose

The purpose of an IEP is to describe a set of strategies to address the particular educational needs of the child or young person in care.

Template

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Department of Human Services have developed an IEP template. See Individual Education Plan – Template (Word - 51Kb).

Requirements

Developing an IEP is an opportunity to recognise and discuss social and behavioural difficulties and concerns a child may have.

The IEP should:

  • outline a meaningful educational program
  • be age appropriate, holistic in its approach, flexible and future orientated
  • consider key long-term goals that reflect learning outcomes in social, academic and life skills development
  • establish short-term goals that will lead sequentially to the achievement of long-term goals
  • ensure that the goals are measurable, achievable, supported, time-framed and aim to retain the student at school
  • clearly articulate individual and shared responsibilities
  • provide guidance for the Student Support Group
  • contain a record of important decisions, actions, student behaviour and progress
  • be a useful transition tool
  • be reviewed every six months.

Assistance

The Looking After Children Framework is a best-practice guide for parents and carers responsible for children in Out-of-Home Care. This document is a useful reference for teachers when planning an IEP. See Looking After Children Framework (PDF - 45Kb).