Student Support Services

Student Support Services & Additional Educational Needs

East Preston Islamic College supports the growth and success of every student. We recognise that every student can learn, but students may require additional opportunities and supports to reach their potential. The College’s policy and practices reflects the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) guidelines which comply with the legislative requirements outlined in the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) and the Disability Standards for Education (2005).

In consultation with families, teachers, service providers and other agencies, the College will collaborate to make reasonable adjustments and provide the necessary supports when working with students with additional needs.

Identifying Areas of Support Needs

The specific educational needs of a student are keenly analysed through a referral process. Student referrals can be made by parents, teachers or staff when a child is facing challenges accessing the curriculum due to one or more of the following areas:

communication and interaction
cognition and learning
social, emotional and mental health
sensory needs
physical condition.

The College administers health assessments as required. Where necessary, the advice of external health professionals such as General Practitioner (GP), paediatrician, behavioural psychologist etc. may be sought.

Students who require assessment arrangements may present with needs in one or more of the following:

Speech or Language Impairment (receptive and/or expressive language disorder)
Intellectual disability
Specific learning difficulties, language and communication disorders (e.g. dyslexia, dysphasia)
Emotional and behavioural difficulties (e.g., ADD/ADHD, depression, anger)
Physical and sensory conditions (e.g., sensory impairments, physical ability)
Medical conditions and Physical disability (e.g., congenital heart disease, epilepsy, asthma, diabetes, allergies, leukemia and other cancers)
Mental health illness (e.g., psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia, manic depression, eating disorders, anxiety, and emotional distress)
Severe Emotional Disorder
Mental well-being
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Gifted and Talented

Supporting The Needs of The Child

Individual Learning/Education/Support Plans are developed by teachers in consultation with the Student Support Team to accommodate for students with additional needs. Students with disability are provided with support from Integration Aides in the classroom on a needs basis during timetabled sessions. Students also have intensive weekly sessions with the Psychologist, Speech Pathologist or Counsellor, as required.

The Student Support Team comprises of, but not limited to:

Student Support Services Coordinator
Integration Aide
Speech Pathologist
Psychologist
School Nurse
School Counsellor
Student Wellbeing Coordinator

EPIC fosters an environment where the rights of all children and young people are paramount so that equitable educational opportunities and outcomes are achieved.