What are Externally Funded Services?
Externally funded services are support services arranged and paid for externally, not by the school or the NSW Department of Education. These services may include allied health, disability, wellbeing or behaviour support (for example speech therapy, occupational therapy or behaviour support).
The Department of Education recognises that these services can play an important role in supporting some students to access learning. In some circumstances, it may be appropriate for these services to be delivered at school during school hours.
Our commitment as a school
The primary purpose of Killarney Vale Public School is to deliver high-quality teaching and learning for all students. While we are committed to working collaboratively with families and external providers, any service delivered at school must:
- be in the student’s best educational interests
- support access to learning and wellbeing
- minimise disruption to classroom learning
- align with Department of Education policies and procedures.
All requests are carefully considered to ensure a balance between supporting individual student needs and maintaining our duty of care and learning environment for all students.
How the approval process works
All externally funded services delivered at school must follow the process outlined below:
- Parent/carer request
Parents or carers submit a formal request through SchoolBytes for an external provider to work with their child during school hours. - Principal review
The principal reviews each request, taking into account the student’s Individualised Learning Plan (ILP), attendance and wellbeing, current learning needs, and any existing services already operating during school hours. The impact on curriculum time and school operations is also considered. - School communicates the outcome
Parents or carers are informed of the decision. If approved, the parent/carer contacts the service provider so they can begin liaising with the school. Parents must also complete the External Providers Permission Form in SchoolBytes.
Requirements for service providers
Before any service can begin at school, providers must meet all Department of Education compliance requirements. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Working With Children Check (WWCC) screening by the Department
- completion of Mandatory Child Protection Training (or an approved equivalent)
- acknowledgement of the Department’s Code of Conduct
- evidence of required insurance (professional indemnity and public liability, and workers compensation where applicable)
- completion of a school-based induction
- signing an External Provider Engagement Agreement with the school.
These requirements help ensure the safety, wellbeing and privacy of all students.
Planning and delivering the intervention
Once approval and compliance requirements are met:
- the class teacher, parent/carer and service provider meet (or speak) to clarify goals, session times and arrangements
- an Engagement Agreement and service schedule are finalised
- sessions are scheduled to minimise disruption to learning programs.
Ongoing communication and review
After each session, providers are required to give the school a brief update outlining:
- progress toward agreed goals
- student engagement
- any factors impacting learning.
The school reviews these updates each term to ensure the service continues to support the student’s educational needs and remains appropriate within the school setting.
Important information for families
- Approval for externally funded services at school is not automatic and is granted at the discretion of the principal.
- The school is not responsible for funding, managing or supervising the service.
- Services may be modified or discontinued if they no longer meet the student’s educational needs or impact on learning and school operations.
Families considering externally funded services are encouraged to contact the school to discuss options and processes before submitting a request through SchoolBytes.