Back to school! Things you need to know

By Association for Children with a Disability

Toileting and other support at school

Schools must provide toileting, eating and drinking, and complex medical care support to children who need it because of their disability.

Who can get toileting support *

Toileting or continence support in school is provided to students with a range of needs, including students who:

• Need reminding to go to the toilet

• Need help wiping or hand washing

• Need help with menstruation

• Have life-long complex conditions which affect their bladder or bowel

• Wet or soil themselves unexpectedly

Your child does not need to receive funding from the Program for Students with Disability or Disability Inclusion to receive toileting support.

Who can get eating and drinking support *

Help with eating and drinking is provided to students with a range of needs, including students who:

• Need a calm environment with positive reinforcement

• Need positioning for safety and comfort

• Need close supervision to prevent choking Complex medical care can include:

• Tracheostomy care

• Seizure management

• Medication by injection or rectal suppository

• Administering suction

• Tube feeding

• Specialised medical procedures

In Victoria, schools can access training from the Royal Children’s Hospital in complex medical care as part of the Schoolcare Program.

Making a plan

The best starting point is to make a Student Health Support Plan. Parents, school staff and allied health therapists who know your child should have input into the plan:

• For toileting support the student’s health practitioner must complete a Personal Care Medical Advice Form for a student who requires support for CONTINENCE

• For eating or drinking support the student’s relevant health practitioner needs to complete a Personal Care Medical Advice Form for a student who requires support for Oral Eating and Drinking

• For medical care the student’s health practitioner needs to complete a General Medical Advice Form Once a plan is made, schools should not call families to pick up their child if they have wet or soiled themselves.

What families can do to help

• Notify the school of your child’s support needs

• Get your child’s medical practitioner to complete the correct form

• Work with the school to make a Student Health Support Plan

• For students with toileting support needs: pack a change of clothes, a water-proof bag for soiled clothing, and continence products (wipes, pads, catheters, etc.)