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Support for students with high care needs

If your child has high care needs their school may be able to apply for extra assistance so your child can take part and learn at school.

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If your child has high care needs their school may be able to apply for extra assistance so your child can take part and learn at school.

Support for complex medical needs at school

Training to meet your child’s high medical needs

Schools can get specialised training for teachers and education support staff to meet your child’s health care needs. This is called the Schoolcare Program.

The training makes sure staff have the skills to deliver medical care to your child while they’re attending school. Training takes place every 6 months. The program is provided by us in partnership with the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Procedures covered in training include:

If stoma care is your child’s only medical need, the school will be able to contact the Royal Children’s Hospital Stomal Therapy Clinic for training.

Who can get the Schoolcare Program

The school can get the Schoolcare Program if:

How schools apply

The school principal will complete and submit your child’s referral form to us, along with any supporting medical reports. The form includes a section that you and your child’s doctor will fill in.

The principal will let you know when the application needs to be submitted. This will give you time to make the necessary appointments with your child’s doctors. If you already have pre-booked appointments with the doctor, it may be helpful to talk about what you need for the application.

When we get your child’s referral form, we will work with the Royal Children’s Hospital to decide if your child is suitable for the program. When the principal is told the result, they’ll contact you.

If the application is successful, the school principal will organise training for school staff. The Royal Children’s Hospital will prepare a care plan for your child. The nurse will train the staff to look after your child’s medical care.

If the application is not successful, we will talk to the school about other supports that may be available for your child.

Medical intervention support

If your child has ongoing complex medical needs, and is eligible for the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD), their school will make sure trained staff provide assistance during school hours.

To support staff arrangements to meet your child’s specialised needs, the school may apply for Medical Intervention Support funding.

A high or complex medical need is a health condition that needs regular and specialised medical care at school. Examples include:

Who can get Medical Intervention Support

Your child’s school may apply for funding if:

Applying for Medical Intervention Support

Your child’s school is responsible for applying for Medical Intervention Support. They may:

Meeting your child’s ongoing medical needs

Your child’s school will:

Education & training

Updated 26 March 2026

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