Monday, 26 October 2020

Victorian students with a disability will receive extra support to transition from their final year of education into post-schooling pathways, thanks to a Victorian Government investment into their future.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing,  today announced that specialist schools will receive $750 for each final year student with disability to support their transition to post-school options in 2021. Mainstream schools will also be eligible for the payment to provide extra support for final year students with disability to transition from school.

Schools can use the Post-Secondary Transition Funding Grant to allow school staff to provide transition outreach support for school leavers until the end of Term 1, 2021.

This extra support will give these students opportunities to familiarise themselves with their new settings, learn new skills, and transition confidently with help from teachers and staff from their school.

Schools will be provided with a suite of resources to communicate essential guidance to their school community, such as transition support guides and a parent factsheet.

Transition planning for students with disability involves a holistic and collaborative approach to find the most appropriate opportunities tailored to each student.

This is part of the Victorian Government’s $250 million package, which is the single biggest boost to individual learning support in the state’s history, to support more than 200,000 students across the state to stay engaged in their education.

While 2020 has been a year like no other, students, schools and families have remained steadfast in finding a post-school destination for 2021, while also finishing this year with achievements.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing

 “We are investing in the future of every Victorian student to ensure they have the individual support they need to successfully transition into other opportunities outside of school next year.”

“Transitioning to a new stage in life can be challenging. That’s why we are giving students with disability extra support to feel confident as they take the next step.”

 “This fixed payment will allow schools to free up teachers to do this vital work and assist these learners to reach their full potential.”