supporting children with additional needs
Do you have a child with additional needs enrolled or about to be enrolled in a preschool, occasional care or vacation care centre?
Children with additional needs sometimes need some extra help at preschool, occasional care or vacation care (or children’s service). As a parent, you want to make sure that your child is fully included in the centre’s program.
The Supporting Children with Additional Needs (SCAN) scheme has been set up by DoCS to assist children with additional needs to have equal access with all other children to the service and program activities.
If you have a child with additional needs either attending or about to attend a preschool, occasional care or vacation care service, your child may be eligible to receive support.
Funding is available to help preschools and childcare services improve the way they support children with additional needs. Funding may be used to provide specialist training for staff, employ a support worker, improve library resources, or buy equipment or books that are suitable for children with additional needs.
is my child eligible to receive support?
Your child will be considered if he or she is currently enrolled or about to be enrolled in a DoCS funded children’s service and falls into one or more of the following categories:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse background
- children with challenging behaviours
- children with disabilities.
what services can apply for SCAN?
Services need to be funded by DoCS to be eligible for SCAN. This can include preschools, occasional care services, vacation care services and some occasional care places in multipurpose centres.
how do I help my child get support from the SCAN scheme?
Talk to the Director or Coordinator at your child’s preschool, occasional care or vacation care services. They need to apply for SCAN funding with your permission.
If you are currently looking for a child care service or preschool for your child, ring the Child & Family Information Referral Service on 9557 0900 or 1800 803 820 and ask for the name of your local DoCS funded preschool, occasional care or vacation care service.
The Child & Family Referral Service will also be able to provide you with information about other programs such as the Intervention Support Program.
related links:
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SCAN brochure
(also available in six community languages: Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Macedonian, Turkish, Vietnamese)