Disability Inclusion at Ballarat Specialist School

Victoria is continuing to implement its transformational $1.6 billion Disability Inclusion reform, to strengthen supports for students with disability at Victorian government schools.

Since its launch in 2021, 850 Victorian government schools have transitioned to a new funding and support model for students with disability.

One of the key elements of the new approach is the Disability Inclusion Profile – a strengths-based process completed by key people who understand a student best, including the student themselves.

The profile helps to identify a student's strengths and needs at school, as well as the educational adjustments schools can make to help students with disability participate and learn.

More than 1,700 profiles have been completed throughout the state, as schools continue to embrace the new approach to helping students strengthen their learning outcomes.

Ballarat Specialist School is one of the many schools achieving great success. Check out this video to learn more:

Ballarat Specialist School teacher welcomes Disability Inclusion

Cam Pentland, a teacher at Ballarat Specialist School, said the Disability Inclusion Profile has been a valuable tool. It has helped the school to collaborate with families and identify students’ strengths, needs and educational adjustments to support them in accessing the curriculum.

‘By looking at each student individually, I have been able to get a greater understanding of how I can best support them in all areas of their schooling,’ Cam said.

‘There is also tremendous ability to collaborate with parents to develop Individual Education Plan goals for their children, only enhancing the overall holistic profile.’

Find out more

For more information, including when Disability Inclusion will roll out to your area, refer to Disability Inclusion: extra support for children with disability.

For further enquiries, contact the department by email: disability.inclusion@education.vic.gov.au