Description
Professional support services are those delivered by recognised specialist organisations who provide advocacy, support and guidance to services and families in highly specified fields including, language development, augmentative communication, disability, art, music or sensory therapy, positive behaviour guidance, executive functioning or educational adjustments.
Priority areas
- Oral language and communication
- Social and emotional capability
- Physicality
- Thinking and responding
- Access and inclusion
Alignment to Queensland kindergarten learning guideline
Learning and development areas
Work should align directly with specific learning and development areas and practice-based supports should highlight connections with intentional teaching practices, planning and reflecting. Professional support services target educator knowledge and skills to enhance children’s engagement in learning and learning outcomes.
Principles
- High expectations, equity and respect for diversity
- Respectful relationships
- Collaborative partnerships
- Effective pedagogies
- Reflective practice and professional decision-making
Delivery mode
Face-to-face, online, consultancy, professional services, goal setting and follow-up.
Cost
Costs to be negotiated and may involve provision of training materials and backfill at the host service.
Audience
Educators
Implementation considerations
Prerequisites: Professional support services should:
- be recognised leaders, advocates in a specified area or discipline
- have proven record in providing guidance, support, training and/or advice to educators
- connect the skills and knowledge inputs with advice on how educators can work with families and children to address the priority area
- demonstrate the ability to support educators to apply the content through best practice/evidence-based teaching and learning
- a recognised NGO or professional organisation.
Considerations: This item cannot be used to supplement child specific therapy support.
The offering can include capability support for families in conjunction with educators.
Backfill: Services should consider the cost of providing backfill if required to allow educators to undertake training and any subsequent follow-up and engagement.
Contacts: Services can use local networks to source appropriate providers. Services negotiate scheduling and other details directly with the specialist support service or organisation.