Module 5.2 Role of Student Support Groups in a Language Support Program

Consultants

The SSG can invite input from others with knowledge or information about the educational or social needs of a student. The number and choice of consultants whose role is to advise, should be agreed to by all members of the SSG.

Consultants are used by the SSG to:

• assist in the establishment of educational goals for the student
• provide support in the development of educational programs
• help determine appropriate strategies to implement agreed programs.

Consultants are typically Student Support Services Officers (e.g. guidance officers, psychologists, social workers, and speech pathologists).

 

The knowledge of others from within and outside the school can also be drawn upon. These can include:

School	Non-school
school disabilities coordinators learning area or Year-level coordinators specialist school staff student welfare coordinators teachers, LSP assistants or teacher aides teachers who have taught the student previously or other members of staff visiting teachers curriculum consultants.	Other government department staff medical practitioners paramedical practitioners preschool teachers or advisers or early intervention staff special education consultants specialist school staff.

 

Professional learning activities

• Use reflective learning techniques

Depending on your role in the school, you may already have been in contact with, and understand the role of, each of these people. If you are undertaking a collegiate professional learning activity, use a ‘think-pair-share’ activity to identify what kind of expertise each of these people might bring to an SSG.

• Begin by reflecting on your opinions and ideas on the topic and record them on a template.
• Pair up with the participant next to you to discuss your ideas and opinions.
• The next stage of the process requires the group to come together and share their ideas and collate a group response.

See

• Teaching and Learning Resource at the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority website, which includes descriptions and examples of concept maps, issues maps and lotus diagrams.