Resources for families of children with additional needs

Developing an appropriate learning plan

You should develop your child's learning plan at a level that is appropriate for their individual needs. 

We do not assess learning plans against any curriculum or require that it meets any age or year level equivelant benchmark. Any contextual information you provide will be considered as part of our assessment.

We may grant an exemption from a learning area if we are satisfied that it would be unreasonable to require instruction in that learning area.

For example, if your child requires a specific focus on developing literacy skills, you may choose to apply for an exemption in other areas. For more information, see:

• Learning area exemptions

Specialist supports can form part of your learning plan.

We have worked with the home education community to develop a range of learning plan templates and samples. Many of the samples show how to develop a plan for children with a range of needs. To access them, see:

• Templates and samples

If you would like to discuss developing a learning plan for the specific needs of your child, please contact the home education team:

• home.schooling@education.vic.gov.au

Disability support services

• Disability supports and services contacts, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
  Assistance with finding local support services for people with a disability, their families and carers.
• Information and advice for parents, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
  A range of disability support and health services for families.
• National Disability Insurance Scheme, NDIS Commission's offices and contacts
  Search for a local area coordinator who can advise on services and support in your area.
  

• Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner
  Provides information about registration standards for registered Victorian disability workers, registers Victorian disability workers and investigates complaints.

Financial support

Centrelink provides advice and financial support for Australian families. The VRQA does not provide financial support to home schooling families. ​

• Payment and service finder, Centrelink
  A search tool to find, estimate and compare Centrelink payments and services you may be eligible for.
• Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme, Centrelink
  Financial support for parents of children who cannot attend school due to geographic isolation, disability or special needs.

Social support groups

• Association for Children with a Disability
  An organisation run by and for families of children with a disability.
• Understanding autism, Department of Education
  Resources and support services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.
• Home Education Network
  A non-profit organisation providing information and support for home educators.
• MyTime
  Free support for parents and carers of children with additional needs.
• The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne  
  Departments and services directory.
  
• Victorian Deaf Education Institute                                                                                        Resources on auditory processing and education for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children
  The Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children is a parent and educator-led not-for-profit organisation that advocates for the identification and support of gifted and talented children in schools across the state of Victoria.