Health Care Needs

3. Supporting students during transition between hospital, home and school

For students with specific health support needs, schools must:

• ensure continuity and relevance of the education program wherever possible
• support the student’s connection to school, including developing and maintaining social networks
• design curriculum that allows delivery and assessment for students who need to:
  • transition between hospital, home and school
  • attend school part-time or episodically
• retain responsibility for the student’s curriculum when they are in hospital or recuperating at home – hospital-based education staff may assist the school in supporting the student.

The department provides specific templates and resources for student learning and attendance during transition between hospital, home and school:

• to plan and monitor a student’s unique learning needs and educational goals – refer to Individual Education Plans
• to plan and assist student transition and return to school after prolonged absence – refer to Attendance.

Transition

The school in which the student is enrolled retains responsibility for the student’s curriculum when they are in hospital or recuperating at home.

Hospital based education staff may also assist the school in supporting the student.

Maintain connections

School are recommended to plan ways to maintain connections with peers and the classroom teacher using a range of communication methods.

Liaise with hospitals

Schools must liaise with hospital-based education staff and therapists to:

• provide learning programs that maintain continuity of learning
• determine learning strategies relevant that take into account any changes in the student’s:
  • physical
  • psychosocial, and
  • cognitive capabilities
• acknowledge all learning outcomes achieved through the hospital-based experience.

Provide additional support

Schools can consider accessing additional support to ease transition between learning settings, such as the Visiting Teacher Service or Student Support Services.

Plan re-entry strategies

Schools must plan re-entry strategies that address:

• learning
• support for social and emotional impacts.

Set realistic expectations

Schools must:

• not expect assessment tasks to be completed immediately upon return to school
• not expect students to maintain the pace of curriculum participation
• enable students to participate if and when they feel able.