Support Staff and Services

Our school has a team of staff who support students and families. 

Our team includes:

• School Health Service Nurse
• Home Liaison officer
• Mobility Opportunities Via Education (Move) Educator
• Therapy Teams (external providers)

School Health Service Nurse

Working under Northern Territory Health Promotion Framework, Health Promoting Schools Philosophy and an agreement between NT Departments of Health and Education Health Promoting School Nurse offers evidence based health and wellbeing information, as well as education and support to students, families and staff. Sue is Nemarluk's Health Promoting School Nurse.

At Nemarluk Focus areas include:

Role:

• Collaborate with teaching staff to implement identified aspects of Health Curriculum guided by the Health Promoting Schools Framework and Primary Health Principles.
• Partners with students, school staff, families , other health professionals and services within the community to improve access, engagement and Health outcomes for individual students and their families
• Works to enhance the wellbeing of the school community as member of Wellbeing team
• Assists with Health Emergencies and critical incidents including debrief and risk mitigation
• Is a member of Health Care Team promoting best practice approach to students Health management
• Collaborates with staff, families and external agencies to develop and/maintain school wide Health related programs and promote equity and access
• Provides general toileting advice to staff and families and Continence Assessments for referred students (parents request)

As part of their role all NT HPSNs participate in planning and delivery of DoH School Based Immunisation Program in Middle schools. This program currently runs over 4 weeks twice a year.

Mobility Opportunities Via Education

At Nemarluk the MOVE program focuses on students who have specific individual program goals around learning to:

• SIT to eat, participate in activities, education and even employment
• STAND such as washing at the sink, food prep, and upright toileting
• WALK to move to participate in play or complete tasks (with and without support)
• TRANSITION from bed to chair, sitting to standing, etc. and
• TOILETING AND HYGIENE WITH DIGNITY (vs. being changed horizontally like an infant)

The program is run by Denielle (Deni) Walsh who is MOVE trained and with guidance from Therapists, Senior Staff and in collaboration with classroom staff.

Student’s MOVE program goal/s are part of their Educational Outcomes each year.

Home Liaison Officer

The Home Liaison Officer, Daryl Preston, supports students to achieve successful educational outcomes, positive wellbeing, and high-level attendance through effective communication and working with students, families, staff, school community members and appropriate service agencies.

• Initiates and maintains communication links between families, students, schools, teachers and service agencies to improve attendance and promote best educational outcomes.
• Partners with families to encourage student engagement through appropriate targeted support, referral and follow-up as required
• Works to enhance the wellbeing of the school community as a member of Wellbeing team.
• Collaborates with local community groups and actively supports individual class groups and school wide activities, programs and events.
  

Therapy Teams

Children’s Development Team: The Children’s Development Team (Department of Health) therapists primarily provide a consultative service to school staff and parents/caregivers after a referral request has been accepted. They can assess students, advise families and school staff on areas of individualised programs and student equipment.

CDT therapists are contacted through their office at Casuarina Plaza, Ph 89227283.

NDIS therapists in Schools: Families may request a NDIS registered provider access Northern Territory (NT) Government school to:

• Observe a student in the classroom or in the school environment
• Attend planning for a student’s individual learning plan
• Attend meetings to monitor and tailor the support provided to a student
• Provide training/professional learning on school grounds
• Provide support with the management of assistive technology such as standing frames or communication devices
• The school does not have the space or supervision capability to support individual therapy sessions in school

The family and provider must complete and submit a Request to Provide NDIS Services in NT Government Schools and NDIS Service in School Agreementto the school. This form includes family consent and the provider’s details.