Special Education Working Group: update from the first quarterly meeting for 2026
11 May 2026
The Special Education Working Group met in Term 1 at PSA House in Sydney where your School Learning Support Officers (SLSO), and Student Health Support (SHS) delegates worked though workplace issues impacting members.
In this update:
- External providers – Role of SLSOs’
- Health support – allowances, certification, and training
- Incident Reporting Hotline
- Nominated transfer guidelines
- Performance Development Plan (PDP) – link to policy
- Procedures for over/under payment
External providers – PSA Workload Watch
Delegates have received feedback from SLSOs’ in some school settings that are being instructed to ‘shadow’ therapists while they are working with students outside the classroom. It is not the role of the SLSO or the external provider to supervise students and they should be in line of sight at all times of a member of the teaching staff. If you are uncomfortable with what you are being asked to do, please speak to your team leader.
Read more about workload impacts due to external providers in the PSA Workload Watch, which can be viewed HERE.
Health support allowances, certification and training
All SLSOs’ undertaking Health Support (previously Healthcare Procedures), First Aid and/or Administration of Medication should be in receipt of the allowance, have current certification and/or be provided appropriate training. Training and Professional Learning must be completed during school hours.
There may be an opportunity to transition to the Student Health Support role if a student has identified complex health needs enrolling at your school.
Find out more by reading the PSA First Aid, Meds and Health Support Fact Sheet, which can be viewed HERE.
Incident Reporting Hotline – a must for all SLSOs
All incidents including near misses should be reported to the Incident Reporting Hotline on 1800 811 523. It is apparent that many schools are only reporting internally, however the Department guidelines for evidence and data is to call the hotline or log the incident online.
If you are impacted by a violent situation or injury, please contact the PSA Member Support Centre 1800 772 679.
Nominated transfer guidelines
Current Integrated Funding Support (IFS) cuts are impacting some schools and staff are being identified as possible nominated transfers. Please see attached guidelines if you are affected. These policies and procedures must be followed. If you believe correct procedures have been overlooked, please contact the PSA Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679.
Transfer guidelines can be viewed HERE.
Performance Development Plan – Link to Policy
Performance Development Plans are a mandatory process and goals must be a negotiated and mutually agreed upon between both parties. It must be a SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound). It must be relevant to your SLSO role and related to a school-based goal.
Procedures for over/under pay
If you think you have been over or under paid, in the first instance contact Ed Connect 1300 323 232.
Some members have found that auto-recovery of overpayments in a lump sum by the Department of Education is happening without any communication to the affected staff member. This can cause financial hardship. If a member is impacted by this process and is having difficulty paying back or is in a shortfall situation, please contact the Member Support Centre at the PSA for advice as to steps that may be taken to support members 1800 772 679.
Driving buses
As always, the PSA is not in support of SLSOs driving buses and buckling students into transport, this is not the role of an SLSO.
Ongoing negotiations and your next pay rise!
You will soon be getting your final pay rise from the last pay deal. This will be 3 per cent and will be applied in the first full pay period after 1 July 2026.
The PSA also negotiated a $1000 Cost of Living Adjustment payment which you will soon be paid. The PSA will keep you updated on when the payment will occur in the coming weeks.
Negotiations for your next round of pay increases are an ongoing focus of the PSA.
Contacts
Delegates
If you require further assistance, please reach out to the delegate in your area.
Have a Wonderful Term 2