Communicate with students, parents, guardians and carers

A partnership approach aims to give students with disability the best chance to achieve their potential.

The Disability Standards for Education 2005 This link will open in a new window (the Standards) require that schools communicate with students with disability, or their parents, guardians or carers about adjustments that the student receives. They have an important role in these discussions.

Parental consent is not required for the NCCD, but every effort should be made to inform parents, guardians and carers that a student has been included in the NCCD.

Where this is not possible, the reasons should be documented.You should communicate information about the NCCD using the Fact sheet for parents, guardians and carers, available in several languages. The related resources below may also be useful.

Related resources

• Sample letter for parents, guardians and carers This link will open in a new window (DOC): This optional sample letter provides information about the NCCD and can be amended for your context. Check with your education authority before using it as your authority may have its own recommended template letter.
• Australian Government’s fact sheet: Parental engagement This link will open in a new window: Information on key elements of effective partnerships to support engagement between schools and parents, guardians and carers
• Australian Government fact sheet: Effective consultation This link will open in a new window: Information on how parents can better prepare themselves for consulting with schools
• Collaboration: A practical guide for individuals, families and communities that highlights the benefits of collaborating as a group to better support a student with disability
• Consultation: Information about the requirement, under the Standards, for schools to consult with the student with disability or their parents, guardians or carers about reasonable adjustments
• Student diversity This link will open in a new window: Support for teachers to meet their obligations under the Standards, including in regards to consultation and ensuring that there is a team of people who have significant knowledge and understanding of the student