Helping Our Kids Through School

Surviving school is challenging enough for most children, but for children with disabilities and special needs it can be even more difficult.

Learning Support Officers (formerly known as Teacher’s Aides) perform a vital role in helping these children negotiate their way through the school experience.

Around 70 per cent of Learning Support Officers, however, are employed on a temporary basis, with no security of tenure.

This arrangement is unfair to everyone – to Learning Support Officers, to the teachers they support, and most importantly, to the students they help.

Stability and certainty in their employment would enable Learning Support Officers to plan for their futures in the same way that most of us take for granted.

It would help them access personal loans, manage their home budgets, and even to plan holidays.

For students and their families, greater stability would enable them to engage in school life, confident in the knowledge that personal support will be always be available.

Traditionally, Learning Support Officers have put up with this situation because they are so committed to their job.

The Daily Telegraph’s education writer made this point in an excellent blog earlier this year.

But we can’t rely on the generous spirit of Learning Support Officers forever.It’s time we ended the temporary employment merry-go-round, and provided certainty for everyone.

The Public Service Association has been running a campaign to recognise the contribution of Learning Support Officers and other school support staff called Students Need Us.You can find more about the campaign at www.studentsneedus.org.au.

There is also a Students Needs Us supporters group on Facebook.I encourage you to get involved and show your support.

Sue Walsh
President,
Public Service Association of NSW