Page 5030 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 26 October 2010
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MR BARR: The process that the department went through involved consultation with staff members to determine a range of proposals that were put forward for consultation. That consultation ran for three weeks. As a result of that, changes were made. The process has now been finalised and the department is implementing its efficiency dividend in accordance with its enterprise agreements and in accordance with the requirements that this Assembly has placed on the department by way of its annual budget allocation.
Education—disability funding
MR COE: My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Minister, the government intends to cut the post school options classroom teacher position with service to be provided by the House With No Steps and the Inclusion Support Centre. Minister, what role will the House With No Steps play in providing post-school options support to students with disabilities?
MR BARR: In fact, the government, through a more recent budget initiative, has in fact enhanced the support for post-school options for career transitions and has in fact placed additional staff in each secondary college in the ACT. Next year, when Gungahlin college opens, an additional position will be available there. Rather than delivering the services centrally, they have been delivered within each ACT college, where the students are. That is a more effective way to deliver the services.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Coe, a supplementary question?
MR COE: Yes, Mr Speaker. Minister, the inclusion support program supports teachers and staff. How will this directly support students with disabilities in their post-school options?
MR BARR: Through the range of services provided by the department, both in schools and supported through that central office team, a range of services are provided. There is also work in conjunction with the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services, most particularly now looking at those post-school options because we recognise that staying in school for ever is not the best outcome for those students and it is important that there is a variety of support services available for them.
The question, of course, in terms of government service delivery, is whether that is most effectively delivered by the education department or through Disability ACT. It is important that there is seamless service delivery. And from the client’s perspective it matters not whether it is the department of education or the department of disability that is providing the services. What the client wants is to ensure that those services are provided and what the taxpayer wants is to ensure that those services are provided efficiently.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary, Mr Doszpot?
MR DOSZPOT: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, what role will the House With No Steps play in providing these post-school options?
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