Speak Out April 2020 DIGITAL VERSION. pdf

Branch News

Networking for public and private paediatric speech pathologists

South Australia

On the back of the changing landscape of service provision, and with an increasing number of speech pathologists beginning their careers in private practice, it was identified that some may not be aware of the public programs which may be available to support their clients. On the evening of Monday February 10 the SA Branch held a networking event for public and private paediatric speech pathologists, the first of its kind to be organised by the Branch. The event, coordinated by the Member Engagement Strategic Working Group Leader Tahlea Pearce, was held to allow members working with the paediatric population to learn more about the services which may be available to their clients. It also provided a rare opportunity for private and public speech pathologists to network. During the event, which was held at Bar 219 at the Caledonian Hotel in North Adelaide, eight services were represented including the Children’s Development Unit and Children’s Assessment Team, Department for Education Speech and Language Programs and Classes, Student Fluency Disorders Clinic, NDIS updates, and specialist AAC services among others. Held in a "speed dating" format, representatives of the services had four minutes each to share information and answer questions, and at the end of the session and participants had an additional 15 minutes to revisit those of interest. Cathy Clark, Inclusive Education Support Program Implementation Manager, was guest speaker on the night. Cathy shared information about preschool and school funding reform, which was introduced last year. The Inclusive Education Support Program (IESP) moves the focus from disability to principles of inclusion: funding is

based on the actions of educators to make documented adjustments in personalised plans that will make a difference for student outcomes, rather a disability diagnosis. These adjustments are made based on functional need and the supports that students need to be able to participate in the same activities as their peers. The model is also aligned with the Nationally Consistent Collection Data for School Students with Disability. Cathy discussed a continuum of resourcing from Quality Differentiated Teaching Practice (for all students, in all classrooms) to Supplementary, Substantial and Extensive funding. The new arrangements also allow for government preschools and schools to have a pool of funds (the IESP Grant) which can be used at the discretion of the site’s leadership to support students with disability requiring minor adjustments to their learning. A raffle for a $50 Kidstuff voucher and complimentary drink and nibble platters completed the social aspect of the evening. Altogether, 40 speech pathologists attended the event which was a measure of its success. Very special thanks go to Cathy Clark and the representatives who volunteered their time on the night: Alex Cole, Lauren Sullivan, Charlotte Badge, Majella Mrdjen, Cathy Ollson, Jennifer Wadsworth, Sue Lawless, Connie Bache, Cathy Beales, Julia McCulloch and Amelia Edwards. Thank you also goes to Tahlea Pearce for her time in organising the event from start to finish! The Branch Executive welcome your ideas for future events and it is hoped that additional events similar to this can be held into the future. Please be in con- tact with Branch Chair Andrea Ferguson to share your suggestions.

SA 774 members as at March 2020

Tahlea Pearce, Branch Chair Andrea Ferguson and Association President Tim Kittel presented at the networking event. BELOW: Some of the resources or country services.

38

April 2020 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out