Understanding the Department of Education's Continuum of Support

Last week we looked at the new SET Circular and how schools allocate support. This week, I'd like to take a step back and look at the framework that sits underneath many of those decisions: the Continuum of Support.

This is the Department of Education framework that schools use to identify needs, plan supports, monitor progress, and decide when additional intervention may be required.

In simple terms, it helps answer three questions:

✓ What support does my child need?

✓ What support is currently being provided?

✓ How do schools decide what happens next?

The Continuum of Support has three levels:

Support for All
The universal supports available to every child through good teaching and inclusive practice.

School Support
Additional targeted support when a child requires more help than is available through universal classroom supports.

School Support Plus
A higher level of planning and coordination where needs are more significant or persistent, often involving input from external professionals.

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from parents is that a diagnosis is needed before support can be provided. In reality, the Continuum of Support is intended to be needs-led, not diagnosis-led.

During our LIVE session, we'll explore:

• What each level actually means
• How schools use the framework in practice
• Common misunderstandings that create confusion for families
• Questions parents can ask when discussing support with schools
• How understanding the framework can help us advocate more effectively while maintaining positive relationships with schools

As many of you know, I am navigating some of these conversations myself as both a psychologist and a parent. I am increasingly aware of the pressures schools are under, while also recognising how important it is that our children's needs remain visible within busy systems.

Understanding the framework can help us move from feeling confused or frustrated to having more confident and collaborative conversations.

Myself and our team are here to help. You can join by the link below in the P.S., and talk to us on Thursday at 12:30 noon. 

REMINDER -  no LIVE today as it is a bank holiday :) 

Your Child and Adolescent Psychologist,

Lorraine Xx

P.S. In the Membership this week, our webinar will explore how the Continuum of Suppport from the Department of Education

Members, please login and go to your newsfeed to this weeks 5 strategies.

To join the Membership, click below:

 Neurodiversity Parenting Membership