The Nationals in government will introduce a plan to help children get the support they need to succeed from their first day of school.
The Successful School Starters program will provide specialist support for Foundation students, helping identify learning and developmental needs early and connecting families with assessment, referral and diagnosis services.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said the program would make a real difference for local families by helping children access support sooner.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to start school with the support they need to thrive and reach their full potential,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Many parents can see when their child may need extra support but knowing where to start or how to access the right services can be overwhelming.
“That challenge can be even greater for families in regional communities like Gippsland where navigating assessments, referrals and specialist services is not always straightforward.
“For many parents, the most difficult part is not knowing where to turn or spending months trying to work out which service, assessment or specialist their child needs.
“Successful School Starters will provide families with clearer guidance and help children receive earlier identification and assessment, giving them the best possible start to their education.”
Under the plan, occupational therapists and speech pathologists will be embedded within Victoria’s Primary School Nursing Program to help identify potential learning and developmental needs and provide advice and support to families.
Students requiring further specialist review and diagnosis will also be eligible for a $500 subsidy towards their initial specialist appointment, helping reduce out-of-pocket costs for families.
Mr O’Brien said early intervention benefits not only children and their families, but also teachers and school communities.
“By identifying learning and developmental needs earlier, we can help students receive the right support sooner, assist parents in finding answers and give teachers the tools they need to support every child in the classroom.
“This is a practical, compassionate reform that puts students first and helps set them up for success from day one.
“For too many families, getting answers and support for their child has become harder than it should be.
“Only The Nationals have a plan to deliver the fresh start Gippsland families deserve and help Victoria live up to its reputation as the Education State.”