External service providers

Our school works closely with families to make sure every child gets the support they need to learn and thrive. Sometimes this means bringing in specialist providers from outside our school, such as therapists funded by the NDIS or other programs.

These external providers do not have an automatic right to come into our school. Any request must come from a parent or carer in writing so we can make sure the support is safe, appropriate, and in the best interest of the student.

background

light

What does outside support mean?

Outside support means getting extra help for your child from people who are not part of our school. This can include:

Assessments or checks – such as psychological, speech or occupational therapy
Special tutoring or learning programs – run by trained professionals outside our school
Health services – like counselling or medical support we cannot give internally
Agency support – help with behaviour, language or social development

This support works with what our school already provides, to meet your child’s needs.

background

white

How the process works for parents and carers

Parent or carer request

Parents or carers complete the External Provider Request Form, available through the parent portal on School Bytes under the tab: Forms > Student > Greenwich Public School Request for Service Provision to be conducted during school hours.

School review

The school reviews each request, considering the needs and interests of the student or group of students who are the intended recipients of the service, the impact on other students and the operational requirements of the school. If the request is approved, the school will contact the external provider to verify they meet all legal and policy requirements and enter into an agreement with the school.

Approval

Once all necessary documentation is completed, the school will schedule the sessions. Services cannot commence until approval has been granted by the school.

Annual review

This process must be repeated at the start of each school year.

Your role in the process

Parents help this process run smoothly by:

Submitting the request form via School Bytes under: Greenwich Public School Request for Service Provision to be conducted during school hours.
Notifying the external provider if your child will not be at school on the scheduled service day.
Informing the external provider if there is a school incursion, excursion or other school activity on the scheduled service day.
Understanding that the onboarding process for new external providers can take approximately one month.
Being aware that a student may receive a maximum of three hours of external provider sessions per week at school.
Informing the school promptly if you, as a parent or carer, decide to terminate the external provider’s services.
Being aware that external providers may only deliver one-on-one sessions with students during the afternoon session at the following times:
- Kingslangley Road Campus: 12:35 to 2:45. Note: 12:35 to 1:25pm is lunch time, which may be used for observations or to support social skills. Students must not be removed from the playground for therapy during this time.
- Greenwich Road Campus: 12:45 to 2:55pm. Note: 12:45 to 1:40pm is lunch time, which may be used for observations or social skills support. Students must not be removed from the playground for therapy at this time.

For more information about accessing external provider support, please refer to the factsheet: Parents and Carers Requesting NDIS funded or other externally funded services for your child in NSW Public Schools. Link: External Providers Information for Parents.pdf

background

light

Requirements for external providers

External providers must meet all NSW Department of Education requirements before working with our school.

They must:

Complete the paperwork

External providers must:

Sign a written agreement with the school. Refer to External Provider Engagement Agreement. Link: Engagement agreement externally funded service providers.DOCX

Follow the External Provider Information Sheet and Checklist. Link: External Providers Checklist for Providers.pdf

Meet training and policy requirements

External providers must:

Adhere to the NSW Department of Education's policies on equity, inclusion, and child wellbeing.

Comply with all relevant laws and policies, including child protection and privacy.

Complete child protection training annually.

For full details, see the  External Provider Information Sheet and Checklist

Link: External Providers Checklist for Providers.pdf

Provide credentials, insurance and ID

External providers must:

Complete a digital declaration if not previously submitted at another school.

Provide proof of identity as required.

Hold appropriate insurance coverage.

Present a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC).

Demonstrate all necessary qualifications and relevant experience.

For more information, refer to External Provider Information Sheet and Checklist Link: External Providers Checklist for Providers.pdf for all details.

Wait for approval

External providers are not permitted to commence service delivery until they have received written confirmation from the school.

Annual review

This process must be repeated at the beginning of each school year.

Information for Externally Funded Service Providers

External providers should only contact the school directly if they have confirmed parent or carer consent to request access to the student.
If external providers wish to discuss the student with the classroom teacher, they are encouraged to do so by emailing the teacher and arranging a meeting time. External providers should avoid engaging teachers in conversation while they are teaching or supervising students on playground duty.
External providers must conduct sessions within the classroom or in the breakout space directly outside of the classroom. This is due to the classroom teacher having a duty of care to all students. A psychologist is the only therapist for whom the duty of care can be passed over.