Requesting support from external service providers
Sarah Redfern Public School works closely with families to make sure every child gets the support they need to learn and thrive. Sometimes this means bringing in specialist providers from outside our school, such as therapists funded by the NDIS or other programs.
These external providers do not have an automatic right to come into our school. Any request for access to a student by an external provider funded by the NDIS (or other scheme that provides funding to individuals) must come from a parent or carer in writing so we can make sure the support is safe, appropriate, and in the best interest of the student.
Providers, please read the Fact sheet for providers on mandatory child protection roles and responsibities from the Department of Education.
Parents, please read the Parent and Carer Fact Sheet from the Department of Education.
To meet the requirements of the school curriculum, and in the best interest of the student and the school, external providers will be able to attend Sarah Redfern Public School between 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday on school days. It remains the parent's responsibility to advise providers if their child will be absent from school or if there is a school activity on the day of support. Bell times can be found here.
There is an External Provider Checklist with the documents and requirements for external providers. Please read this checklist in full and ensure each and every check/requirement is met before submitting any documents to the school. These requirements/checks are from the Department of Education. The External Provider Engagement Agreement has changed from last year. Please use the new External Provider Agreement. NOTE: Attachment B Form 1 is to be signed by the student's parent.
To engage external therapist support at Sarah Redfern Public School:
Step 1:
Parents please complete the Parent/carer request and return to the school office.
For more information please see the Parent and Carer Fact Sheet
If the school is in agreement with the request, progress to Step 2.
Step 2:
The school office then contacts the therapist requesting all documents.
Therapists must complete and return:
- An external provider agreement
- Current child protection training - must be completed annually
Therapists must read:
- Code of Conduct policy
- Controversial issues in schools policies and procedures
- Allegations against Employees in the area of child protection
Therapists must provide evidence of:
- Public liability for at least $20 million
- Personal indemnity for at least $2 million
- Workers compensation or insurance
- Completed child protection training for current year
- Photo ID
For more information, please see the External Provider Checklist and the Fact sheet for providers on mandatory child protection roles and responsibities.
Step 3:
The school will email the therapist, teacher and parent. Once a suitable time has been agreed upon, therapy can begin.
Therapy is not to commence until therapists have received an email or phone call approving the request.
Please note: The above steps are an annual requirement. External student support providers are to ensure that the above steps are completed and required forms submitted each and every year while the student requires provision of external support services at the school.
Specialist Allied Health and Behaviour Support Provider Scheme
Opportunity to Join the NSW Department of Education’s Specialist Allied Health and Behaviour Support Provider Scheme
We are pleased to let you know of the exciting opportunity to apply to join the NSW Department of Education’s Specialist Allied Health and Behaviour Support Provider Scheme (the Scheme).
The Scheme involves the centralised prequalification of eligible allied health professional which supports NSW public schools to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with participating allied health providers.
Registration window now open
We encourage you to apply to join the Scheme. Register for prequalification before November 14 to ensure onboarding before Term 1 day 1.
Key benefits of joining the Scheme include:
• Increased visibility: Your services will be featured in a searchable database, making it easier for schools to find and engage with you.
• Centralised compliance checks: All compliance requirements will be complete ready for you to work with schools from Day 1, Term 1, 2026.
• Simplified procurement: Schools can easily procure your services through a simplified order form.
Apply now: This one-pageropen_in_new includes important information, including eligibility guidelines. For more detail and to apply for prequalification, please visit the etender Portal.open_in_new
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact sahs@det.nsw.edu.au.