Schools for specific purposes (SSPs)
SSPs are schools that support eligible students with a diagnosed intellectual or physical disability, autism, mental health considerations, sensory processing disorder or behaviour disorders.
SSPs provide intensive levels of support in a specialised setting and a range of support services, depending on the needs of the students. They also have smaller class sizes due to the student's higher needs, and they support students from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Where there is the capacity, a student with significant support needs can enrol at four years of age and repeat their kindergarten year.
SSPs review the placement of each of their students annually or when required. These reviews consider all aspects of a student's personalised learning and support, including whether or not the current placement is best meeting their learning and support needs.
Many SSPs also maintain active links with other nearby schools and their local communities. If your child was to attend an SSP, they may have access to support classes in mainstream schools or mainstream classes, and they would be supported to participate in community activities and training.
How can my child enrol in a SSP?
You can’t enrol your child directly into a SSP but your local school can help you with this process.
The school will work with you to determine if your child is eligible and if this type of support will meet their needs.
This option is available when:
- Your child has significant support needs and meets the department's disability criteria.
- This type of support will meet their needs.
- An application is completed in consultation with you. This is usually arranged by the learning and support team at the school your child is enrolled in.
- A local support class panel considers it and makes a recommendation.
What is an access request?
If your child has moderate to high needs and requires specialist support, your child’s school may apply for specialist supports using an access request.
This is a way for the school to access specific types of additional support for your child, such as extra funding to hire additional teachers, or a placement for your child in a support class.
An independent panel of experts will consider the request and give their decisions about it to your local school.
Most students with disability and learning and support needs will not need an access request submitted for them because their local school is well equipped to meet their needs.
In the cases where one is required, your school manages the application process. They will talk to you and get your input about your child’s needs and the types of support that you would prefer.
Your child’s school will then submit the application to be assessed by a group of experts in your school’s local area. This group - referred to as a placement panel - will make a decision about the application.