Mobility Assistance

Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure students who need assistance being transferred and positioned can attend school.

Summary

• Schools must develop a Student Health Support Plan (DOCX) for students who have mobility needs and require assistance being transferred and positioned.
• Schools may request that parents or carers provide written advice from the student’s treating health team outlining how to transfer and position the student.
• Musculoskeletal risks associated with hazardous manual handling must be identified, assessed and as far as is reasonably practicable, be eliminated or reduced. One of the controls to reduce such risk is to provide and maintain suitable equipment to assist with the task of transferring and positioning students, by staff who are trained to use it properly.

Details

Requirement for assistance

Students may need short or long-term assistance:

• with being transferred, for example, from a wheelchair to the toilet or from a wheelchair to a vehicle
• with being positioned for comfort, safety and curriculum access.

The level of assistance varies according to student’s individual needs. Students may require:

• short-term (for example, while in plaster) or long-term support
• supervision for safety (for example, ensuring they remain upright in chairs)
• some assistance with transfers and positioning
• full assistance for transfers and positioning
• the support of two or more staff due to:
  • the student’s size and weight
  • the movement required.

Provide personal care

When providing or assisting with personal care, schools must:

• fulfil their duty of care to students by assisting with personal care needs
• detail personal care support requirements and the person(s) responsible in the Student Health Support Plan (DOCX).

As with all health and personal care support, assisting a student with the management of personal routines must be conducted in a manner that:

• maximises the student’s safety, comfort, independence, dignity, privacy and learning.
• is consistent with Child Safe Standards
• reflect occupational health and safety standards for the school.

Equipment

Equipment to alleviate problems associated with manual handling, such as transferring and positioning students, should be:

• regularly checked
• maintained in good working order and not modified outside of the manufacturers guidance
• used by staff who are trained and competent to use the equipment
• immediately reported if there are concerns about equipment safety.

Actions

Schools must:

• develop a Student Health Support Plan (DOCX) for students who require assistance being transferred and positioned
• ensure that the student health support plan includes guidance on strategies for minimising risks from trips, falls and manual handling for students who require assistance being transferred and positioned
• request the student’s treating health team, such as a physiotherapist, provide written advice that makes clear recommendations outlining:
  • situations where assistance is required
  • the level of assistance required
  • type of transfer or positioning
  • recommended equipment to assist with transfers and positioning
  • recommended training for staff who are involved in assisting with transfers or positioning.

Schools and families may use the Functional Needs Medical Advice Form (DOCX) to describe mobility, positioning and transfer assistance at school and school events.

Related policies

• Child Safe Standards
• Duty of Care
• Health Care Needs
• Manual Handling

Relevant legislation

• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
• Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)

Guidance

There is no further guidance for this topic. For more information, refer to Resources tab.

Resources

Templates and forms

• Student Health Support Plan (DOCX) — template for schools planning medical or health-related support at school, including mobility, positioning and transfer assistance
• Functional Needs Medical Advice Form (DOCX) — may be used by the treating health team to describe a student’s functional and personal care needs, such as mobility, positioning and transfers, and can be used to inform the Student Health Support Plan