Recommendation 46 - Review of the Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA)

The Final Report on the Review of the Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA) provided to the Government of South Australia requested the Department for Education include specific information in the 2023 Inclusive SA Annual Report.

This information pertains to the extent to which children living with disability are able to participate in mainstream learning and social experiences at school. With information to include:

1. an outline about how the success of initiatives, procedures and programs designed to assist children living with disability is measured, especially in relation to learning outcomes and wellbeing; and
2. recent results against those measures.

Response from the Department for Education

All children in South Australia have the right to high-quality school and preschool programs that support their learning and development, and that children have a place in their local government school or preschool.

The Department for Education is responsive to the diversity of South Australian children and young people, their needs and their families’ preferences for the support and adjustments that may be required. For eligible children, the Department provides choice to parents through offering special classes, disability units and special schools.

The Department is working to improve the participation, engagement and learning achievement for children and students with disability in mainstream schools. This includes:

• the introduction of an Autism Inclusion Teacher in every public primary school, including reception to year 12 schools
• providing more autonomy and flexibility through easier access to funding via the Inclusive Education Support Program
• introducing a new Suspension, Exclusion and Expulsion procedure in 2023
• release of practice guides designed for educators, that clearly articulate the evidence-based strategies and advice to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes.

As part of the Strategy for Public Education, the Department will use success measures to guide understanding of how the education system is working and how to adapt the strategy.

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability heard the experiences of children with disability and their parents of challenges in receiving an inclusive education across Australia.