NSW Government releases Inquiry into Students with a Disability or Special needs in NSW Schools

Uralla’s Rachael Sowden was among 400 people and agencies to enter a submission to the inquiry into students with a disability, or special needs, in NSW Schools, with the Government releasing its formal response this week.

Her submission detailed difficulties with finding adequate care and supervision for her son while at school.

In his response, NSW Education minister Rob Stokes said the government would support the 39 recommendations handed down by the inquiry committee.

The recommendations include, but aren’t limited to, a 1 to 500 ratio of school counsellors to children, establishing teams of allied health professionals in regional centres with a focus on students with special needs, and more support state wide.

Dr Sowden welcomed the government’s support and hoped the recommendations would be adopted in NSW schools in the near future.

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“As someone who has been around a long time and went to the 2010 inquiry, I can see the improvement that these recommendations will make,” she said.

“I believe that this response is what most families want. They have actually stopped and listened.”

Dr Sowden said the recommendations were promising, including professional development for special education teachers.

There was also a recommendation that would allow parents to be “up-skilled” in complaints procedures and armed with the information they need, and given access to, up-to-date data.

“It’s a significant improvement,” she said.

“It’s a really good step from a government perspective, but obviously we will have to wait and see how it pans out.

“It’s a much improved model from where it was, and the committee have listened to the requests and concerns raised by people who put submissions in.

“The committee did its work and the government listened. I don’t think you can ask for any more than that.”

The inquiry was established in August 2016.