School Partnerships
How can OT support your school, team or class?
We work in partnership with schools to support participation, inclusion, regulation and everyday functioning within the school environment. Support can be tailored at different levels, from whole school capacity building, to targeted support for groups or classrooms, through to individualised occupational therapy where needed.
What do you want to understand next?
A tiered approach to support
Whole-school or whole-class support, more focused support for a group or classroom, and individual OT when needed.
Tier 1: Universal Supports
Support for the whole school or class.
- Professional development and staff training
- Educator coaching
- Parent or caregiver workshops
- Sensory friendly classroom strategies
- Regulation and co regulation approaches
More examples
- Classroom routines and transition supports
- Inclusive participation strategies
- Handwriting and classroom participation support
- Support for attention, engagement and learning readiness
- Neurodiversity affirming practice
For example, a staff workshop followed by discussion of how the ideas fit classroom routines.
Tier 2: Targeted Supports
Focused support for a group or classroom.
- Small group programs
- Executive functioning support
- Sensory regulation support
- Emotional regulation groups
- Social participation support
More examples
- Classroom based intervention and coaching
- Targeted consultation for specific students or classrooms
- Environmental reviews and recommendations
- Tailored support planning
- Educator and SSO mentoring
- Parent coaching and education
For example, reviewing the return from lunch with one classroom team and trying changes to the routine.
Tier 3: Individualised OT Support
Individual assessment and therapy within the partnership.
- Functional OT assessments
- Sensory assessments
- Emotional regulation support
- Fine motor and handwriting intervention
- Executive functioning intervention
More examples
- School observations
- Individual therapy
- Collaborative goal setting
- Support documentation and reporting
- Consultation with educators, families and other professionals
For example, assessing writing, the desk setup and available support when one student finds classroom work difficult.
The level of support can change over time. A school may use more than one level. SSO means school support officer.
How does a School Partnership work?
- 1
Initial consultation
We meet with the school to understand what is happening, what is already working and what priorities they want support with.
- 2
Needs analysis
We look at the needs of the students, staff and school environment and identify which level of support may be most useful.
- 3
Agree on goals and priorities
We work with the school to clarify what they want to achieve and where OT can add the most value.
- 4
Create the plan together
We develop a tailored support plan based on the agreed goals, setting and level of support required.
- 5
Implement the support
Support is delivered collaboratively with educators, SSOs, leadership teams, families and students where appropriate.
- 6
Review and adjust
We review what is working, what needs to change and whether the level or type of support should be adjusted over time.
A plan shaped around your school
The tailored proposal sets out the agreed support, delivery arrangements and pricing. Individual OT retains its own consent and referral arrangements.
Start with something happening in the school day
You can bring a routine, activity or staff question. Here are some possible starting points.
Joining classroom activities
Look at instructions, task demands, noise, seating and different ways students can take part.
Moving between activities
Observe transitions, what students need to know next and how staff can offer useful support.
Writing, planning and organising
Explore handwriting, tools, task steps and the help needed to start or finish schoolwork.
Play, relationships and regulation
Consider sensory and communication needs, play opportunities and how adults can help students manage demanding moments.
We work with the people who know the school
Educators bring knowledge of their students, routines and what is practical during the day. The OT contributes assessment, observation and clinical reasoning.
We look at students’ strengths, communication, sensory preferences and the demands of the setting. Students can take part in different ways; the plan considers those preferences.
Coaching can help teachers and school support officers understand an approach, try it in a routine and discuss what happened.
What does it cost?
Workshop and presentation delivery
$220 per hour including GST
What is included in the proposal?
A customised proposal will be provided outlining recommended supports, delivery options, and associated pricing.
As workshops, consultation and support services are tailored to the setting, additional preparation or resource development time may apply depending on the level of customisation required.
Other assessment, consultation or therapy work is priced in the proposal. The delivery rate is not a fixed package price.
Partnership Arrangements
Flexible partnership arrangements and ongoing support models can be discussed based on the needs and priorities of the setting.
Individual OT has separate referral, consent and funding arrangements.
How to get started
Call, email or send an enquiry about your school’s priorities. You don’t need to choose a tier first.
