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Individual Education Plans support schools to work with students, families and sometimes agencies to support students’ access to schooling.
Prior to taking disciplinary action, it may be helpful to consider the following factors.
Catering for learning support
When managing student behaviour, it is important to take into account the student’s viewpoint, and their needs. There may be particular circumstances which have led to the student’s behaviour.
Ask these questions of your school
Have we determined whether any other factors contributed to the student’s behaviour? Emotional triggers? Family factors, peer relationships, health, mental health, trauma or personal tragedy? Special medical conditions? Refer to Part 1: Principal’s decision, What part have the student’s individual circumstances played?
In situations where students require learning support, it is not always easily understood why a student may have behaved in a disruptive way. Has your school met with the family and health professionals to assess the needs of the student and what can you do to meet these needs?
It is important to ensure that all resources have been utilised to support the student. Has your school made appropriate referrals for assistance? For example:
- Resource Teachers: Learning and Behaviour
- Learning Support Teachers
- Resource Teachers: Māori
- Specially trained teachers for students with vision impairments (called Resource Teachers: Vision).
- Teachers who work with children who have hearing impairments (called Resource Teachers: Deaf).
- Public health nurse
- Other supports in the local community.
Do we need to make a referral to Learning Support for support with behaviour, high health needs, communication issues or complex needs?
Students requiring learning support who have compromised school rules
In some situations, it is not a simple case of students breaking the rules purposefully. It is important for schools to understand students’ needs and put support in place to manage their learning support needs.
Ask these questions of your school
Did we have an Individual Education Plan in place for the student at the time of the incident?
Was it being fully supported by school staff and teaching staff at the time the incident occurred?
Example
Example of working with students requiring learning support.
A 6-year-old student diagnosed with autism was non-compliant, aggressive and had frequent ‘meltdowns’ at school. He was on the verge of being excluded from school.
The boy’s father decided to home-school him, but after 2 terms this was no longer successful. The boy’s paediatrician felt it was essential that he be integrated back into school. A strengthening families meeting was held involving the parents, paediatrician, psychologist, mental health services and Learning Support.
The transition plan was supported by the parents, Learning Support and all outside agencies that were involved. The acting principal considers that the time put in at this early stage sets up for future success.
The student’s transition back into school is proving to be successful as he is now enjoying school. His behaviour is less aggressive and more controlled.
Useful links
Interim response fund
The Interim Response Fund (IRF) Principal’s Manual is managed by the Ministry to assist schools when a student’s behaviour has reached crisis point. Contact your regional office and ask to speak with the development officer managing the Interim Response Fund.
Learning support
Students requiring learning support when moving to school
Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People
The Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People website has the Aotearoa New Zealand Autism Guideline | He Waka Huia Takiwātanga Rau: Third edition (2022), which aims to provide best-evidence guidance for professionals who work with autistic children and adolescents in educational settings.
Aotearoa New Zealand Autism Guideline: 3rd Edition – Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People
Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa (formerly NZSTA) New Zealand School Boards Association
Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa (formerly NZSTA) is the voice of school boards in New Zealand, providing services to New Zealand’s 2,500 state and state-integrated schools and kura.
Advice and support – Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa | NZ School Boards Association
